Fucillo, Winthrop reach their goal

LOWELL -- The goal for Winthrop the last few years has been the Super Bowl -- something the Vikings hadn't reached since 1993 and hadn't won since 1983.

Only one game away last year, they lost to Natick, 41-32. But one year later, the goal has been achieved, as it was Winthrop's defense, not its explosive offense, that put away Masconomet, 21-14, yesterday, a victory sealed with an end zone interception by James Fucillo.

"This is unbelievable," said Fucillo. "Not just for me, but for the town, my brother, and for the people who never made it. They're real proud of us, and I'm proud of my whole team.

"This was our goal, and we've come to achieve that goal."

In their last meeting, the Vikings clobbered the Chieftains, 42-21, in a game that featured more than 700 yards of offense. This time, defense was the name of the game, as Winthrop stopped Masco three times at the goal line, preserving a one-touchdown lead in the second half.

"In the first meeting and tonight, they were a great competitor," said Winthrop coach Tony Fucillo, James's father. "They match up almost perfectly with us; it's like looking into a mirror."

Starting the game with a 64-yard, 6 1/2-minute drive, Winthrop used six ball carriers before Joe McDermott took it the final 8 yards. But on its next possession, Winthrop turned the ball over -- something it did only four times this season -- on a Jason Griffin fumble, which Eric Bunker ran back 37 yards for the tying score.

The Vikings took over on their 27-yard line. Northeastern Conference co-MVP Fucillo passed for 43 yards on the drive, capping it with a 5-yarder to Mark Shannon for his 15th touchdown pass of the season, tying older brother Anthony's record.

After Griffin scored on a 13-yard run only two minutes into the second half to put Winthrop up, 21-7, the Chieftains utilized various formations on a 69-yard drive to get within a touchdown. Craig and Eric Bunker combined for 62 of the 69 yards, with Eric taking it the last 15 yards to make it 21-14.

With one timeout and only 1:46 left to play, Masco didn't panic. It went 58 yards in 20 seconds to get within striking range. But on first and goal from the 9, Craig Bunker threw to the end zone, only to be intercepted by Fucillo.

"I think I'm getting a little too old for this," said coach Fucillo. "It took a great play by a great competitor. But James is just that way, he makes plays for us."

The Vikings face Wareham Saturday in the Division 2A Super Bowl.

"We've finally gotten to where we wanted to be," said Matt Murray (13 carries for 101 yards). "We won't let what happened last year happen again."