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A little Saturday morning quarterbacking …

Oct 10th, 2009 by Hector Longo

Did i get tied up, no I was just depressed over last week’s debacle and falling behind five games to dave Dyer in the picks race.
Let’s face it. Five games to Duffy, the iceman when it comes to high school picks, is nearly insurmountable.
And that’s why I didn’t post picks on time this week. Too depressing.
Then,I thought about it. And so I’ll tell you who i would have picked and why Friday night.

Salem-Timberlane … The Devils win a thriller. As I figured, Timberlane was going to give Salem all it could handle. There’s no way i’d have gone against our Fantastic Four No. 1.
Manchester Central at Londonderry … OK, there’s no way I would have picked Londonderry. I admit it. You get the feeling that on any given day, Nos. 2-6 in Division 1 can beat each other. Nope, just no way I could have foreseen it.
Andover-Lawrence … Saw Andover for the first time this year, and I was very impressed. As good a team as i’ve seen. As one sage MVC follower said tonight, the MVC large could come down to Thanksgiving with Andover-Central. Sorry, I’m not a believer in Billerica. Oops oh yeah, I would have picked theWarriors and moved to 2-1.
Georgetown-Amesbury … This is the tossup game where I would have checked out Dave Dyer’s pick and gone the other way. He picked Amesbury, I would have gone the other way and lost, 2-2.

North Andover -Medford … I’ve been on the knights all fall, no reason not to stick with them. Winner, 3-2.
Pinkerton-Concord, Sanborn-Hollis-Brookline and Central Catholic at Haverhill … Some struggling teams involved. Three easy choices ow 6-2.
Methuen Chelmsford … Make that 6-3. Just wasn’t impressed by Chelmsford, and of course the Lions come back to throttle the Rangers.
North Reading-Triton … Triton is the hot new thing in the CAL, a case of bigger is better. I finish Friday 7-3.
Saturday’s picks

Whittier Regional at Archbishop Williams, 1 p.m. … Too much offense from the Cats. Whittier rolls, 31-16
Brooks at Middlesex … JJ all the way. brooks 19-16
Ipswich at Pentucket … Sachems grind out another, 24-21
Northshore tech at Greater Lawrence Tech … Have to go with the Reggies here, especially seeing the points allowed by the Bulldogs last week.
Choate at Phillips … Andover is a juggernaut,once again, 42-24.

Pelham at Kearsarge … Pythons pull one out on the road, 34-25

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Here’s this week’s Football Friday video

Oct 7th, 2009 by Hector Longo

http://www.rallynorth.net/localsports/special_features/story/6?story_id=6221

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Brooks Dad, I’ve done my homework …

Oct 6th, 2009 by Hector Longo

OK Brooks Dad, good insight on the prep scene, especially the good stuff on Jordan Johnson.
Be sure to to pick up Wednesday’s Eagle-Tribune for a David willis piece on JJ.
OK, so Brooks dad asked about skill players coming out of the region. I did a little homework. I’m not going back into the 50s when guys like Haverhill’s Don White played quarterback at Notre Dame and Punchard High’s (Andover) Century Sid Watson played for the Steelers.
And I can’t go into guys that phillips has had like Tony Pittman, a corner at Penn State, that doesn’t come from the area.
PA has had more than a few talented kids come in from around the country, but just home grown skill kids here, here we go.
Andover’s Jerry Stabile starred at Andover High in the pre-Flutie days. They weren’t a top 25 team, but he did seal a giant upset of Stanford by picking off a John Elway pass.
Dan Welsh of Andover was a class of 1978 AHS quarterback who went on to play at Duke.
At BC, during the post-Flutie days, Methuen’s Jeff Baker started in the defensive backfield.
Of course, Pinkerton had Ryan Mihalko, the most physical high school running back I have ever seen from this area, went on to play fullback of Notre Dame and actually had a couple of big blocked punts in special teams.
Tivo Concepcion went to BC and played four years there, mostly on the practice squad.
St. John’s Prep’s Rob Konrad of North Andover was the most impressive athletic specimen I’ve ever seen in athletics around here. He started four years at Syracuse when they were a top 10-20 program with Donovan McNabb and went on to a solid career with the Miami Dolphins. Rob also happens to be one of the best guys you’ll ever meet.
More recently, Warren Wilson of Lawrence and New Hampton Prep, accepted a scholarship to BC and now is a reserve at UMass.
And of course Brendan Smith of Andover and New Hampton Prep is a second-year captain as a safety at Northwestern right now, with NFL aspirations.
Note: I have left off a bunch of the linemen, remember we’ve had Londonderry’s Jason Ball, Salem’s Wayne Lucier (SJP), North Andover’s Zak DeOssie (PA) and plenty of other great ones.
So yeah, it’s a tad thin.
Considering a town like Humble, Texas, David Givens’ hometown of about 15,000, has had six different NFL players alone since the 1980s, we don’t really cover ourselves in greatness.
That doesn’t mean the games aren’t incredible drama around here. They are, and they keep me going. Hope this helps.

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The new Fantastic Four and this week’s picks … Is it me or is Salem the clear-cut No. 1 in the region, by a mile???

Oct 2nd, 2009 by Hector Longo

’ve run ragged the last couple weeks, but I finally have a chance to settle in, update the Fantastic Four and blog away.
Here goes.
So much has happened in two weeks, but one thing is certain. The Salem Blue Devils are clearly the top football team in our region.
Salem obliterated Pinkerton Saturday, an absolute, unequivocal schmuckling.
The B-Devs stand alone atop the Fantastic Four, a clear No. 1.
Quick little sidelight here. I’m watching a little Curb The Enthusiasm at the advice of some friends. I’ve tried episodes 1 and 2 of this, the seventh season. Clearly, this is the longest-running horrifyingly awful TV show in history.
After Salem, the picture clouds up quickly.
Yeah, I’d love to give a little love to Kevin Bradley’s 3-0 Whittier Tech Wildcats, but I can’t. Whittier hasn’t beaten anyone of consequence yet.
We’ll go with Methuen at 2, Central at three and Andover at 4.
On to this week’s games:
Chelmsford (3-0) at Lawrence (1-2)
Lions give Lancers nightmares with their in-your-face running game, 23-6.

Haverhill (0-3) at ANDOVER (2-1)
Andover discovered its offense at Tewksbury last week, more bad news for the Hillies, 28-0.
Salem (1-2) at North Andover (2-1)
I think the Knights dominate the Witches, 28-6, as Zac Iovanella piles up the non-CAL yardage.
Lowell (1-2) at Methuen (2-1)
I never, ever use home field to make a decision in high school football. It means so little, but n this case, it makes the difference, Rangers 14-13.
Georgetown (0-2) at Marblehead (2-1)
The Royals are in tough this week an slide to 0-3, 21-14.
Sanborn (0-4) at Laconia (3-1)
This is a mismatch of epic proportions. Laconia is a power program in NH. Sanborn is a baby as a program. Please be nice lake folks. Laconia 30-0.
LONDONDERRY (2-2) at PINKERTON (2-2)
Moved up to Friday, the Astros face a gut check after being humbled last week. They pass, figuratively not literally and grind out a 17-14 win.
Bishop Brady (3-1) at PELHAM (2-2)
Brady bunch extracts a little revenge for the last couple year. BB 34-17.

SATURDAY’S GAMES
Newburyport (3-0) at PEntucket (1-2)
Even though it matters to Pentucket but not the Clippers, Pentucket falls, 14-6.
LYNN TECH (3-0) at WHITTIER (3-0)
Dillon Ryan piles up the TD passes, Whittier 26-0.
AUSTIN PREP (2-1) at North Reading (1-2)
Love this grudge match. I’ll stick with the Hornets in a thriller. 13-12.
SALEM (4-0) at NASHUA SOUTH (3-1)
Salem can run the table if it clears south. This one could have been a lot bigger if the Panthers hadn’t lost last week to Manchester central.
B-Devs 27-18
Central Catholic (2-1) at Tewksbury (1-2)
Raiders roll over Redmen, 36-0
Greater Lawrence (1-2) at Greater Lowell (1-2)
Reggies drill an overwhelmed group of Gryphons, 27-14
Brooks (1-0) at GROTON (1-0)
A showdown of two of the most dynamic QBs in the NE prep ranks with Groton’s Bretton Frongillo and Brooks’ Jordan Johnson. Frongillo is the one athlete I have to see this fall.
Groton, 36-30.
Timberlane (2-2) at KEENE (2-2)
The loser can kiss the D2 playoffs goodbye. I say the road trip spells TImberlane’s demise, 26-20.

After a lambasting last week, Mr. Dyer and I stand dead even.

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Ok, so I took an absolute pummeling this week …

Sep 27th, 2009 by Hector Longo

My unacceptable 11-7 … coin flips might have been a better option … combined with a solid 14-4 by dave dyer leave the race absolutely tied.
I’m such a loser, I let Chuck Adamopoulos con me into the “we’re not that good” argument.
Such a loser.
Oh well, like the Pats, I’m moving on.
Some thoughts on the past weekend:
Lawrence had one there for the taking again, letting it slip away to lowell.
With the wood coming up in ther MVC, that’s one that might hurt down the road.
I feel Mike Yameen’s pain.
With the game on the line and Lawrence having all kinds of momentum, the officials handed Lowell 37 yards in facemask penalties. Why not put the ball in the endzone for them?
The last one hurt most, a great play by Harvey Blanco wiped out on third and goal.
Clearly, it was a high tackle, but it wasn’t a facemask, not when the same group of officials scolded Yameen earlier in the game that facemasks “had to be flagrant” to call them.
None of the three on that last Lowell drive could be considered flagrant.
Of course, Lowell probably would have kicked the clinching field goal is the last one wasn’t flagged. Still, 37 yards on one drive’s an awful tough.
Perhaps it was that crews way to welcome the lancers back to the MVC.

I am going to say this once and once only. Mike Calzetta is the best college football prospect from our region (excluding preps) in this senior class. kids got serious hands, hits like a train and has a 6-foot-5 frame just waiting for 30-40 pounds of muscle in a college redshirt year.
You should have seen the one-handed grab on the two-point pass against Lowell. I’ve seen one other athlete snatch a ball like that, his last name is Moss.
Calzy’s not Moss, I’m not saying that, but he’s a player.

Yeah, I’m not stunned by the result, but the lack of Pinkerton resistance in Saturday’s loss to Salem is quite shocking.

The Astros looked much bigger but were shoved around. And Salem looked a lot faster, just like BG did.
Salem’s up front guys deserve a ton of credit. I swear either Darren Brown or Joe DiPalma’s name is called on every running play.
Big props again to newcomer Chris Saulnier, who was perfect on all four kicks,including a 30-yarder.
I know i’ve got some more thoughts, but I’ve got to switch over to Bill Burt’s blog and get busy on the Pats.

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Very tardy Friday and Saturday picks

Sep 25th, 2009 by Hector Longo

North Reading 22, Cardinal Spellman 10 … Brooks and the brothers get it done.
Bishop Guertin 24, Timberlane 6 … Too much speed.
Dracut 23, Central Catholic 7 … My love affair with the Raiders has ended.
Londonderry 22, Manchester West 8 … Now if the Lancers could only get healthy.
Lawrence 22, Lowell 20 … Lawrence now 2-0 in the MVC.
North Andover 31, Cambridge 10 …. Brandon Walsh throws for 4 TDs.
Chelmsford 16, Haverhill 0 … Hillies courageous in defeat.
Pelham 31, Bow 6 … Joe DeAngelo is still sizzling.
Billerica 14, Methuen 13 … Nick LaSpada the difference.
Whittier 33, Northeast 0 … The Cats play a little defense, too.
Pentucket 16, Hamilton-Wenham 12 … A step forward for Sachems.
Andover 28, Tewksbury 7 … Brian Miller introduces himself to the Redmen.
Georgetown 26, Shawsheen 6 … Royals rebound from beating last week.
Loomis Chaffee 23, Phillips 17 … Flip a coin.
Brooks 17, Roxbury Latin 14 … Too much speed.
Monadnock 16, Sanborn 12 … Indians making strides.
Manchester 12, Greater Lawrence 6 … Hornets to be a force in the division.
Pinkerton 24, Salem 21 … Until Salem breaks through, have to stick with the Astros

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In case you guys were interested, here’s some video to dig into on the upcoming Central-Dracut matchup

Sep 23rd, 2009 by Hector Longo

http://www.rallynorth.net/localsports/special_features/story/6?story_id=6078

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Desrosiers to Wake Forest!!

Sep 23rd, 2009 by Hector Longo

Carson Desrosiers, the 6-foot-11 center out of Central Catholic and Windham, N.H., committed to Wake Forest today.
Desrosiers made Wake coach Dino Gaudio a happy man with a bright and early call.
He had to wait until this morning (11 am, 8 am Arizona time) to notify ASU coach Herb Sendak (sorry if the spelling is wrong) in a classy move before the announcement became official.
Much more in tomorrow’s Eagle-Tribune.

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Carson Desrosiers update!!!

Sep 22nd, 2009 by Hector Longo

The Central Catholic standout, according to a source at the school, is down to two now: Arizona State and Wake Forest, eliminating Marquette after visiting all three schools.
Word is, Wake coach Dino Gaudio is in town, pitching the hard-sell.
The final verdict should be in by the end of the week.

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A funny thing happened on my way to posting a video Fantastic Four this week … here are the rest of my weekend picks

Sep 18th, 2009 by Hector Longo

Some how, and I’ve yet to receive an explanation so I will take the hit and apologize, this week’s video Fantastic Four was not uploaded or downloaded or posted or whatever needs to be done to it to get on the blog.
I apologize to Andrew Sinkewicz of Georgetown and coach Matt Bouchard for interrupting their practice and yielding no results. There is, by the way, a pretty darn good piece with the Royals’ Chris Esposito on www.rallynorth.net that you might want to take a peek at, though.
I’ll be honest and fess up, I had it 1. Andover, 2. Salem, NH, 3. Methuen, 4. Pinkerton Academy.
And of course, almost on cue, Andover gets pasted by Gloucester.
Tough Thursday night for one Dave Dyer, who goes 2-2 to my 3-1.
Into Friday, the lead is now a much more comfy 2 games.
Here are the rest of my weekend picks:

Greater Lawrence (0-1) at South Boston (0-0)

Southie might be from the traditionally weak BOston City league, but you have to respect the program off one of its best seasons in history.

Southie 22, Bamboo’s Boys 9

Concord (1-1) at Londonderry (0-2)

Kind of fish or cut bait time for the Lancers.
I say Lambert lands a Lancer lunker.
LHS 13, CHS 3

MERRIMACK (0-2) at Timberlane (1-1)

Timberlane has been a pleasant surprise so far and has that playoff look.

Dom LaRosa and a growing offensive line bulk up and get it done.

Owls claw T-Hawks, 23-0

Amesbury (0-1) at North Andover (0-1)

Knights Knights Knights Win win win. (It’s an old school Mike Cavanaugh thing, folks)

NA 18, Ames 7

Tewksbury (1-0) at Lawrence (0-1)
The Redmen can’t beat Lawrence, but will the Lancers beat themselves?
If Lawrence doesn’t get careless late in the first half, throwing the football around in the final minutes with a two-TD lead and then coughing up a fumble in the last minute, the Lancers pound Lynn English.
Still, my heart says the welcome back to the MVC will be a joyous one.

Lawtown 23, Redcoats 21

Haverhill (0-1) at Catholic Memorial (1-0)

The Hillies are up against it again.
CM 36-6

Campbell (0-2) at PELHAM (1-1)

Pride and tradition mean plenty, so do the athletes in the Pelham backfield.
Pythons 42-0

SALEM (2-0) at MEMORIAL (1-1)

A week ago, I might have said this would be a game.
Then Salem got its swagger on against Londonderry and Memorial took a beating at Pinkerton.

B-Devs 16, Mem 0

north reading (1-0) at NEWBURYPORT (1-0)

Took to win at the Clip joint with a loaded arsenal. The Hornets are just too thin.

Gaudiano’s crew hits the Wall from the Port side. (I’ve got a million of ‘em folks)
Nbpt 24, NRHS 6

Lynnfield (1-0) at georgetown (0-0)

Lynnfield shoots and Espo scores on the rebound.

No Joe, but that’s OK.

Royals win, 19-9

SATURDAY’S GAMES

Manchester West (0-2) at Pinkerton (1-1)

Pinkerton would win the MVC this year in a walk.
Yeah, I said it.
But There is no depth in NH. This lack of competition will get annoying at some point.

Stros 77, West 3

Methuen (1-0) at Malden (1-0)

Young team on the road, feeling its oats a little bit???
The Rangers bounce and struggle.
Mald 23, Methuen 21

Merrimack Valley (0-2) at SANBORN (0-2)

Drouin gets on the board
Don’t let me down Indians. I believe.

Sanborn 8, MV 6

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