SAUGUS — One step closer to its third straight Northeastern Conference Small title, the Swmapscott High football team can finally start thinking about two of its most storied rivals.

After a business-like performance in a 28-0 blanking of Saugus at Stackpole Field Saturday, the Big Blue (7-2, 3-0 NEC Small) can focus on what have always looked like the two biggest games on their schedule: Beverly at home this Saturday, and travelling to battle arch rival Marblehead on the road Thanksgiving morning.

Thanks to the victory, the Big Blue are tied with the Magicians (8-1, 3-0 NEC Small) atop the conference standings. Regardless of next week's results, all the marbles will be up for grabs on Thanksgiving because even if both teams lose next week (Marblehead plays at Winthrop Friday night), the winner on Turkey Day will be 4-1 in league play and every other NEC Small team will have at least two league losses.

"We certainly like the position we've put ourselves in for the next two games," said Swampscott head coach Steve Dembowski, whose charges would love to avenge last year's loss to Beverly when the teams meet Saturday, regardless of the implications in the NEC Small race.

The Big Blue were on autopilot after putting up 21 points in the first quarter against a Saugus team that lost its seventh straight that has been depleted by injuries. Senior quarterback Matt Barbuzzi completed his first 14 passes while throwing for 145 yards and two touchdowns, while senior running back Kyle Shonio scored twice and gained 102 yards on just eight carries.

Swampscott's first drive went 67 yards in only six plays capped by Shonio's 12-yard TD run and set the tone for the rest of the afternoon.

"We started strong," Dembowski said. "We took the ball, went down and got the first points of the day, and Matt had a very strong start as well. We got exactly what we wanted."

The Sachems (1-7, 0-4 NEC Small) had very little success against Swampscott's first defense as the hosts earned their first shutout since 2006. Junior Oliver Narcisse partially blocked a Saugus punt after a three-and-out to set up the Big Blue's second score, a three-yard pass reeled in by co-captain Randall Kelleher (5 catches, 54 yards).

After the Sachems were stopped on fourth down near midfield on their next possession, Shonio took the first play and broke tackles with juke moves and stiff arms while going 41 yards to the house to make it 21-0.

"We did a good job in all areas and had a solid day on special teams," said Dembowski. "I don't think we allowed a first down until we were up by three touchdowns."

Barbuzzi found junior Peter Yasi in the end zone from 10 yards away to cap the scoring in the second, and the teams traded clock-killing long drives in the second half. Barbuzzi's only incompletion of the game was his last attempt, an end zone interception by Saugus' Jim Hyde late in the third.