If you had asked Newburyport football coach Ed Gaudiano before the season - “What player can you least afford to lose to injury?” - the answer may very well have been his leader in the trenches - Richie Pace.
Well, the Clippers have recently learned the returning All-Cape Ann League selection will be lost for the season due to torn meniscus in his knee. The nose guard and defensive tackle was injured in a preseason game and just received word that his season is done.
Score that as a huge blow for a Newburyport team that played CAL powerhouse Wilmington tough in a 27-17 loss last Friday night.
