Amesbury rates slight edge over Royals
Grid Picks
Dave Dyer
Just how far can one player carry a team?
We may find out Saturday afternoon (weather permitting) when Georgetown hosts Amesbury in a battle of Cape Ann League unbeatens. Quarterback Joe Esposito has done it all for the Royals — on the ground, through the air, on special teams and on defense.
No one has been able to slow down Esposito yet, and I doubt if Amesbury can do any more than contain him. But that may be enough.
The Indians (4-0), after all, are averaging more than 35.5 points a game. And, impressive as the Georgetown defense has been thus far, Amesbury boasts, with the likes of Kevin Johnson and Jesse Burrell, more weapons.
The Cape Ann League small division is shaping up to be a wild one and the winner of this game will get a tremendous boost. Amesbury, which is hoping to advance to the playoffs for the second straight year, should get that lift because of its advantage in weaponry and big-game experience.
Assuming it can hold down Joe Esposito.
PICK: Amesbury 21, Georgetown 20
TOMORROW’S GAMES
St. Anselm (0-5) at Merrimack College (3-2)
St. Anselm isn’t as bad as its record indicates, as its 15-14 loss to Pace and 16-7 loss to Assumption indicate.
PICK: Merrimack College 24, St. Anselm 14
Medford (0-4) at North Andover (1-3)
With its head coach James Atkins suspended indefinitely for misappropriating funds while at Chelsea High, Medford has struggled. But particularly when banged up Zac Iovanella doesn’t play — the Knights have struggled, too.
It’s tough to overlook the Mustangs play in the Division 1 Greater Boston League, and North Andover is in Division 2A, three divisions lower.
PICK: Medford 19, North Andover 13
Lowell (2-2) at Central Catholic (2-2)
The Raiders’ two losses have both been to teams ranked in the top 10 in Eastern Mass., and they could have won at least one of those games.
PICK: Central Catholic 24, Lowell 7
Tewksbury (1-3) at Andover (1-3)
Tewksbury looked impressive against Haverhill, but far less so against Methuen. Andover has been only slightly less consistent.
PICK: Andover 22, Tewksbury 16
Lawrence (2-2) at Masconomet (2-3)
Masconomet has played a brutal schedule thus far and is more than prepared for its first Cape Ann League test.
PICK: Masconomet 28, Lawrence 7
Pentucket (3-1) at Ipswich (0-3)
Pentucket, which has been unscored upon since the second quarter of the season opener, has turned around its season after a disappointing loss on opening day.
PICK: Pentucket 27, Ipswich 6
Haverhill (1-3) at Billerica (4-0)
The Hillies can only make it close against Billerica, the 19th-ranked team in Eastern Mass., if Noel Figuereo has recovered from his ankle injury.
PICK: Billerica 31, Haverhill 13
Chelmsford (4-1) at Methuen (2-3)
The Rangers have a good opportunity to pull off an upset, but I don’t have the guts to predict it.
PICK: Chelmsford 28, Methuen 14
Londonderry (4-1) at Manchester Central (4-1)
Will Manchester Central learn from Londonderry’s loss to Pinkerton last Saturday? I would think so, and that will make this close.
PICK: Manchester Central 19, Londonderry 14
Greater Lawrence (1-3) at Northeast (1-3)
The Reggies found a running back (Wadscar Gomez 193 rushing yards last week) and developed some confidence with its first win last weekend.
PICK: Greater Lawrence 28, Northeast 24
Whittier (3-1) at Chelsea (3-1)
Chelsea has played stout defense (9.0 ppg), but it won’t be able to stop Whittier’s improving attack.
PICK: Whittier 29, Chelsea 16
Pelham (4-0) at Bishop Brady (2-2)
If Bruce Vieira can’t play, this will be a toss-up.
PICK: Pelham 27, Bishop Brady 12
SATURDAY’S GAMES
Concord (3-2) at Pinkerton (4-1)
The Astros have a little more talent and much more confidence.
PICK: Pinkerton 29, Concord 10
Timberlane (3-2) at Salem (2-3)
Salem is much improved and won’t make as many mistakes against the Owls as Keene did last week.
PICK: Salem 21, Timberlane 13
Hollis-Brookline (1-4) at Sanborn (0-5)
Division 3 Hollis-Brookline plays in a higher division and has more depth.
PICK: Hollis-Brookline 33, Sanborn 6
Cushing (0-1) at Phillips Academy (2-1)
Cushing played powerful Trinity-Pawling in its only regular-season game, falling 39-13. But Phillips has also had problems with T-P, losing to the Pride 41-7 last fall in the Prep Class A Super Bowl.
PICK: Phillips 22, Cushing 21
BROOKS (0-3) at GOVERNOR’S ACADEMY (1-2)
Both teams have struggled offensively, with the hosts averaging 7.7 points and Brooks 8.7.
PICK: Governor’s 14, Brooks 12
Season record: 57-19
