Saugus Is Dominant in Victory

Jeremy Mushinski had 86 yards in 14 carries and scored the first four touchdowns to lead Saugus to a 41-0 victory over Palmdale Friday night at Palmdale High.

Mushinski, a senior tailback, scored on runs of two, one, two and one yards to give Saugus (2-0) a 26-0 lead midway through the third quarter.

Linebacker Matt Gillis had six sacks and led a stellar performance by the Centurian defense, which forced five fumbles and recovered four.

“ ‘Oh no, not No. 89 again,’ that quarterback must have been saying,” Saugus Coach Jack Bowman said.

Saugus quarterback Kevin Carrasco completed four of 10 passes for 101 yards. He had two passes intercepted.

Palmdale’s Gerald Brown intercepted a pass by Carrasco at the Saugus 30-yard line and returned it 22 yards, but the first Falcon fumble ended the scoring threat.

Palmdale quarterback Phillip Paez completed two of six passes for 12 yards in the first quarter, but was replaced by Johnny Gillespie in the second quarter.

Gillespie completed five of 11 passes for 34 yards.

The lone offensive bright spot for the Falcons (0-2) came on a 25-yard run by Janel White in the fourth quarter.

“Palmdale is a young team and Coach (Jeff) Williams plays tough teams in the preseason,” Bowman said.

“Our kids on defense wanted to do something special.”

Nick Olivares was Palmdale’s leading rusher with 30 yards in nine carries.

The Falcons had nine penalties for 75 yards.

Saugus had nine penalties for 80 yards.

In the first half, Saugus held Palmdale to only 15 yards. Saugus gained 130 yards in the first half.

Saugus’ Colin Butterfield caught two passes for 64 yards.