I like my football played in 30-degree temperatures with a constant threat of a snowstorm.
I like my offensive lineman thick in the waste with broad shoulders that bounce up and down when they breath heavily. I like to see steam rising from their mammoth heads as they rest on the bench.
I like to see a wide-open passing game, but you know what I like even better? I like it when an offense lines up for a play, everyone in the stadium knows they’re going to run the ball, and the defense has to find a way to stop them.
I like sitting on a cold steel bench on a frigid Friday evening, listening to shoulder pads and helmets pop louder than normal because they have yet to thaw.
I like it when linemen and linebackers refuse to wear long sleeves under their jerseys | even on the coldest of evenings | because “temperature is a state of mind.”
And I like when bleachers are packed with spectators draped in blankets, gloves, scarves and winter hats, and, in the swarm of wool and flannel, the only visible sign of human life is an occasional pair of eyes.
Dress warm, football fans. It’s that time of year.
The forecast is calling for temperatures in the mid-40s tonight and tomorrow.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I will.
Onto the picks.
Tonight’s games
Ipswich (0-9) at Amesbury (3-5), 7 p.m.
Amesbury won a huge game last week against North Reading. If the Indians had lost, they’d be playing out the string with no chance of winning the Cape Ann League Small. Instead, they have a very winnable game against Ipswich tonight, and then they could play Newburyport Thanksgiving Day with a playoff berth at stake. As if that game didn’t already have enough riding on it.
Final score: Amesbury 35, Ipswich 0
Pentucket (7-2) at Wilmington (8-1), 7 p.m.
See the bottom of Hector Longo’s story to find out what the Sachems have to do to win the CAL Large. He does a nice job breaking it all down, and, for some reason, I can’t wrap my head around it. I think Pentucket has to win out, North Andover has to lose at least once, Wilmington could probably afford a loss or two, Masco needs to tie or something. Who knows? Every time I figure out one of these formulas, the team I’m pulling for loses, and all my hard work goes for naught.
Final score: Pentucket 31, Wilmington 30
Triton (1-8) at Masconomet (8-1), 7 p.m.
I picked Triton to beat Lawrence last week, going on the premise that the Vikings had more heart. That was based on the theory that Lawrence has seen many a season spiral out of control after a couple of losses, whereas Triton was playing 40 minutes of hard-nosed football every week despite its record. At halftime, the prediction looked great. Triton 7, Lawrence 7. I figured the team with more heart would prevail. The final: Lawrence 22, Triton 7. Vikings: You’ve shown a lot of character this season despite your record. Finish strong, regardless of the opponent, and you can be proud of your effort from start to finish.
Final score: Masconomet 35, Triton 7
Tomorrow’s games
Newburyport (6-3) at Lynnfield (3-6), 11 a.m.
I have a bad feeling about this one. It’s the perfect formula for a trap game. Newburyport is coming off an easy win over Ipswich. The Clippers were able to cruise from start to finish, breaking off big play after big play in a 47-21 drubbing of Ipswich. They probably feel like they’ll cruise again this week, and the only team that stands between them and a CAL Small title is Amesbury. But remember, Clippers, Lynnfield is coming off a nice upset of Hamilton-Wenham last week. You could be next.
Final score: Newburyport 14, Lynnfield 13
Georgetown (7-1) at Chelsea (3-6), 1:30 p.m.
Royals quarterback Joe Esposito is making a late push for Daily News player of the year. In a weird turn of events, Pentucket’s Nate Bunnell has been held without a touchdown in three consecutive games. So he’s stuck been stuck on 20 since Oct. 13. Esposito, on the other hand, ran for four touchdowns last week to give him 16 on the season. He’s also passed for eight others. Give us another four-touchdown week, Joe, and you may move into pole position with one to play.
Final score: Georgetown 40, Chelsea 14
Belmont Hill (4-3) at Governor’s Academy (5-2), 1 p.m.
The Govs have lost two in a row, so this will be the season finale. I see the Byfield squad coming out hungry and putting a stop to the mini-skid. And while we’re here, Belmont Hill has approximately 420 students in grades 7 through 12. Each grade is known as a form and is noted with a Roman Numeral I through VI. Tuition is $29,530 for day students and $35,410 for boarding students. The varsity crew team won national championships in 2003, 2006 and 2007.
Final score: Governor’s Academy 21, Belmont Hill 14
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Last week’s record: 2-4
Season record: 30-16
Dan Guttenplan is the sports editor at The Daily News. E-mail him at dguttenplan@ecnnews.com.
