Eagle-Tribune Blogs: River Rival Report

Before we get to the picks, let me break down the race for the Cape Ann League Small title.
Obviously, if Georgetown beats Newburyport tonight, there is no race. The Royals clinch, and the Thanksgiving matchup between Newburyport and Amesbury will have no playoff implications.
If Newburyport wins tonight, the Clippers could clinch a title with a Turkey Day victory over Amesbury.
The only way Amesbury has a shot is if Newburyport wins tonight, and the Indians win on Thanksgiving. That leaves Georgetown, Newburyport and Amesbury in a three-way tie for first place.
A lot of people have asked about the tie-breaker should those three teams finish with one loss. It comes down to head-to-head matchups. Since all three will have suffered their loss to one of the co-champions, it will come down to points differential in those head-to-head matchups.
That’s where it gets crazy, and I don’t want to get into all of the different possibilities until we see what happens tonight. But if Newburyport has a chance to pile on the points against Georgetown tonight, it will only help should the Clippers lose to Amesbury next week. As far as losses go, the Indians are in pretty good shape since their only league loss was a 15-14 defeat at Georgetown.
Either way, let’s worry about tonight’s game before we start breaking down the points.
Onto the picks.

Tonight’s games
Georgetown at Newburyport, 7
Give the Clippers credit for putting themselves in this situation. After an 0-5 start, this two-game stretch of Georgetown and Amesbury could not have looked very appealing to coach Ed Gaudiano and his staff. With four straight wins, the Clippers now control their own destiny. Even a team that’s been as dominant as Georgetown must have concerns about a dynamic Newburyport passing offense that has accounted for 1,517 passing yards and 17 touchdowns. The Royals matched up well with Amesbury — a run-first team. Will they defend the pass as efficiently?
The pick: G’town 28, N’port 27

Pentucket at North Andover, 7
The Sachems (5-4) have lost three of their last four. At a glance, they might look like a team in trouble, but let’s break down that four-game stretch. The first two losses came Amesbury and Wilmington — teams with a combined record of 15-3. The Sachems dropped those games by a combined total of four points. Then came a win against Lawrence (5-4) — a team that currently sits in second place in the CAL Large. Then came a loss to Masconomet, a team that will likely go undefeated in league play. If the Sachems finish off the season with wins against North Andover and Triton, they’ll finish 7-4 and tied for second in the league. There’s still plenty to play for.
The pick: Pent. 21, N. Andover 12

Triton at Wilmington, 7
Triton (4-5) has played five games decided by six points of less this season. The Vikings are 2-3 in those games. Not bad for a team learning to win one year removed from a 1-10 campaign. Next season, those close games may be comfortable victories. This is a team a year away from competing for a CAL Large title. Look for another close one tonight.
The pick: Wilmington 12, Triton 7

Tomorrow’s game
Amesbury at North Reading, 11
Imagine being Amesbury coach Thom Connors this week. If his team watches Newburyport beat Georgetown tonight, he won’t even have to say a word in the locker room tomorrow morning. He can just show his players the CAL Small standings, and that’s all the motivation they’ll need. If his team watches the Royals win tonight, his job tomorrow morning becomes much more difficult. “I know we’re out of it, but let’s win for the seniors!” he might say before kickoff. Of course, these are my concerns — not Connors’. If I know the Amesbury coach at all, his pregame speech will be exactly the same regardless of what happens tonight.
The pick: Ames. 28, N. Reading 0

Last week’s record: 4-1
Season record: 31-14

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One week from now, Amesbury football fans could change their allegiances to Newburyport for a weekend.
Blasphemy, you say? That will be the case if this weekend plays out as I expect it will.
With Newburyport and Georgetown sitting atop the Cape Ann League Small standings — a game ahead of Amesbury — the Indians need either North Reading or Newburyport to beat the Royals in the next two weeks. Remember: the Royals will complete their league schedule next Friday since their Thanksgiving Day showdown with Manchester Essex is a non-league contest.
I don’t see Georgetown losing to North Reading tomorrow, so Amesbury will need old friend Newburyport to beat the Royals next weekend to stay alive in the title hunt. Then, of course, Amesbury would need to beat Newburyport on Thanksgiving Day to capture a title.
Amesbury fans: Get your crimson and gold ready. You’ll need some help from your friends in Newburyport next week.
Onto the picks:
Tonight’s games
Ham.-Wenham at Amesbury, 7

The Indians (7-1, 2-1) couldn’t be in better shape with three games to play. All of their skill-position players should be rested and ready for the stretch run, which includes games against two .500 teams (H-W and North Reading) before a Thanksgiving matchup with 4-5 Newburyport. Senior tailback Jesse Burrell carried the load the first few weeks of the season, then halfback Kevin Johnston took a turn, and most recently quarterback Jared Flannigan has been the hero. The offensive line is dominating the line of scrimmage, the quarterback is making smart decisions, and the running backs have fresh legs thanks to a three-person time-share. Not a good formula for victory for a Hamilton-Wenham team reeling from four losses in its last five games.
The pick: Amesbury 27, H-W 14

Pentucket at Masconomet, 7

It’s been a bit of an up-and-down season for the Sachems (5-3, 1-1). They lost their opener to North Reading — a team that has gone 3-4 since. They then rolled off four straight relatively easy wins before dropping two in a row by a combined four points. Last week, the Sachems posted a somewhat surprising victory over Lawrence. Unfortunately, Masconomet will not allow any surprising upsets this season.
The pick: Masco 31, Pentucket 14

Lawrence at Triton, 7

Historically, Lawrence (4-4, 2-2) is always athletic but lacks the discipline to compete in the CAL Large. That hasn’t been the case this season as the Lancers have posted big CAL victories over Newburyport, Wilmington and North Andover. Still, I think a master of schemes like Triton coach Jim O’Leary may find a way to exploit Lawrence’s old Achilles heel.
The pick: Triton 14, Lawrence 13
Tomorrow’s games
North Reading at Georgetown, 1

I’m not sure what’s going on with North Reading, but it doesn’t look good. After winning their first three games, the Hornets have lost four of their last five. In those losses, they’ve been outscored 94-26. Triton and Newburyport alone outscored North Reading, 54-7. Amesbury fans, repeat after me. Go Clippers!
The pick: Georgetown 34, NR 0

Gov. Academy at Belmont Hill, 1

The Govs dropped to 2-5 last week with a 35-14 loss to Lawrence Academy. Belmont Hill enters at 6-1, so it will take a huge upset for the Govs to finish the season on a positive note. I never would’ve predicted an uncharacteristic 2-6 season for the Govs in early September, but unfortunately, I have to predict it now.
The pick: Belmont Hill 28, Govs 12

Last week’s record: 5-1
Season’s record: 27-13

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Today’s games
Law. Academy at Gov. Academy, 2:30
A rare Friday afternoon game for the Govs (2-4) … It’s been a difficult season for the local Independent School League representative, which fell to Milton Academy, 21-7, last week. A visit from Lawrence Academy — the top team in the ISL — won’t help the Govs turn the momentum. Lawrence Academy (5-0) has outscored its opponents 188-30.
The pick: LA 38, Govs 0

Amesbury at Ipswich, 7
From 2000-2006, Amesbury never entered November with a chance of capturing a Cape Ann League Small title. The Indians can now say, for two years running, they’ve entered the final month with a real chance at earning a postseason berth. But the quick success story offered a valuable lesson last week. In a 13-12 victory over Lynnfield (1-7), the Indians (6-1) learned they are not quite not strong enough to take any team lightly. That lesson will come in handy this week against winless Ipswich (0-6).
The pick: Amesbury 41, Ipswich 0

North Andover at Triton, 7
Triton (4-3) could conceivably win this game as North Andover (2-5) is struggling through a difficult season. The Vikings have played well against evenly matched opponents, so I’ll give them the nod in a close contest. While we’re here, did anyone else read Triton coach Jim O’Leary’s quote after last week’s 28-0 loss to Masconomet? He said Triton will be as strong as Masco by the end of the season. That’s a bold statement, but I wouldn’t doubt him after he’s transformed last year’s 1-10 squad into a formidable opponent every week.
The pick: Triton 22, NA 12

Tomorrow’s games
Lawrence at Pentucket, 1
The Sachems (4-3) have suffered heart-breaking losses in back-to-back weeks. First, Amesbury beat the Sachems, 24-21, in overtime on Oct. 18. Then Wilmington beat Pentucket, 21-20, last Saturday. The Sachems trailed 21-14 with 1:10 remaining in the game when Jordan Silva connected with Dylan Chase on a 47-yard touchdown pass. Pentucket coach Steve Hayden opted to go for the two-point conversion rather than kick the extra point. The failed play resulted in a one-point loss. Do I like the move to go for two? Sometimes. If the team’s defense is tired and unlikely to stop the opposing team’s offense in overtime, it’s the right call. Hayden felt that was the case with linebacker Chris Modlish nursing an injury.
The pick: Pent. 20, Lawrence 8

North Reading at N’port, 3
I guess all Newburyport (3-5) needed after an 0-5 non-league start was a few CAL Small matchups. After operating very inconsistently the first five weeks, the Clipper offense is beginning to resemble last year’s run-and-gun attack. In Newburyport’s last two games — wins over Ipswich and Hamilton-Wenham — quarterback Joe Clancy has passed for 528 yards and seven touchdowns. It’s easy to credit Clancy for the recent success, but the key has been the offensive line. A weakness early in the season, the Clipper offensive front is giving Clancy plenty of time to find the CAL’s top two receivers — Andrew Sokol and Kyle LeBlanc.
The pick: Newburyport 22, NR 10

Ham-Wenham at Georgetown, 1
Hamilton-Wenham (4-3) fully expected to enter this game with a chance to take pole position for the CAL Small title. One problem: the Generals fell to Newburyport, 28-14, last weekend. Now the Generals will need outside help to get back in the title picture, but they absolutely need to help themselves tomorrow by beating Georgetown (6-0). I can’t see it.
The pick: Georgetown 29, H-W 14

Last week’s record: 4-2
Overall record: 22-12

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There has been much football discussion on our Web site regarding the balance of power in the Cape Ann Small. I’m not complaining — that’s what the comment section is for.
To me, though, there’s not much room for argument. The standings show two teams — Georgetown and Newburyport — tied at the top with 3-0 CAL records. Three teams — Hamilton-Wenham (2-1), North Reading (1-1) and Amesbury (1-1) — have one loss. For the sake of the argument, let’s eliminate Lynnfield (0-3) and Ipswich (0-4) from the title picture because the winner of the league will likely have no more than one league loss.
I can understand why the folks in Amesbury believe their football team is the best in the CAL Small. The Indians have certainly played the part of the defending champions with the exception of one half, when they allowed 15 unanswered second-half points in a 15-14 loss to Georgetown Oct. 11. I agree with the Amesbury sentiment that the team is as talented as any the school has offered since 1989. I agree that the Indians are capable of beating any team in the CAL Small on any given day.
But given the fact that Georgetown beat Amesbury — and there is no greater measure than head-to-head play — let’s suspend any arguments regarding the best team in the CAL Small until someone knocks off the undefeated Royals. Yes, they’ve played an easier schedule than Amesbury, but that’s not the players’ fault. Georgetown’s late switch to the CAL from the Commonwealth Conference last offseason didn’t give the school’s schedule-makers much time to establish annual rivalries with teams like Pentucket or Triton. Those teams’ schedules may be set years in advance. The Royals are playing the hand they were dealt, and they’re playing it well. They have to be considered the favorites until someone proves otherwise.

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Editor’s Picks
It’s hard to believe the Newburyport football team, despite its early struggles, sits a game and a half ahead of Amesbury in the Cape Ann League Small standings. Two weeks ago, Newburyport sat at 0-5, having completed its non-league schedule with a 19-0 loss to Pentucket. The situation looked bleak.
Amesbury, on the other hand, opened with wins in its first four games for the first time since 1989. The Indians cruised through their non-league schedule and appeared primed to repeat as CAL Small champs.
The Clippers have since beaten Lynnfield and Ipswich, giving the squad a 2-0 record in games that matter for playoff consideration. After starting 4-0, Amesbury lost to CAL Small favorite Georgetown, 15-14, and beat non-league foe Pentucket, 24-21. The Indians went 0-1 in the only game that mattered.
Georgetown may have the right idea in padding its non-league schedule with inferior opponents like Matignon, Marblehead and Murdock. Why not conserve the energy for the league games by treating the non-league games like exhibitions?
The complexion of the CAL could change in the next few weeks, and the Indians are certainly not out of the postseason picture. But this season’s early returns give credence to the argument that non-league games are virtually meaningless.
Onto the picks.

Tonight’s games
Lynnfield at Amesbury, 7

Welcome back, Kevin Johnston. Look for a breakout game from the Indians senior tailback. He’s been held in check the last two weeks in games against Georgetown and Pentucket, tallying a total of 16 carries for 34 yards and no touchdowns. That seemed unthinkable after he registered 53 carries for 432 yards and seven touchdowns in the first four games. He’ll get back on track this week.
The pick: Amesbury 42, Lynnfield 12

Georgetown at Ipswich, 7

Georgetown quarterback Joe Esposito’s run for Daily News Player of the Year continues with a huge week against an Ipswich team that is 0-16 since winning a Super Bowl in 2006. Esposito has been stretching out his arm the last two weeks with four touchdown passes after throwing just one in the first three games.
The pick: Georgetown 34, Ipswich 0

Masconomet at Triton, 7

Supporting the point of non-league games being pointless, Masco started 0-3 against St. John’s Prep, Norton and Gloucester. Now the Chieftains (3-3) will be in the driver’s seat for a CAL Large title if they beat Triton this week. I like the Vikings a lot, but they’re still a year away from shocking Masco.
The pick: Masconomet 27, Triton 14

Tomorrow’s games
Newburyport at Ham-Wenham, 2

I need to see Newburyport’s offense explode one more week before I’m sold on the fact that all of the woes that plagued the team in its first five games are cured. Still, you have to tip your hat to a team that has scored 62 points and generated 439 passing yards over the last two weeks. It’s a nice response to the team’s 19-0 loss to Pentucket on Oct. 3 — the second time the Clippers were shutout in the first five weeks.
The pick: Ham-Wenham 19, N’port 14

Wilmington at Pentucket, 2

Both teams will attempt to rebound from difficult losses last week. Pentucket (4-2) lost to Amesbury, 24-21, in overtime last Saturday. Wilmington fell to Lawrence, 34-33, last Friday night. Which team will show the most resiliency in its run for a CAL Large title? I like Pentucket’s chances.
The pick: Pent. 20, Wilmington 17

Milton Academy at The Govs, 7

This is a rare Independent School League night game as the Govs will host Milton at Triton Regional High. In turn, Triton’s hockey team will get to use The Governor’s Academy’s new state of the art hockey rink on occasion this winter. A couple other newsworthy items: Salisbury’s Max Caron had 240 yards rushing last week in the Govs’ 26-17 victory over St. Marks. Former Amesbury coach Pat Flaherty is an assistant on the Milton staff.
The pick: Milton 29, Govs 6

Last week’s record: 4-1
Overall record: 18-10

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Georgetown is the team to beat

A quick reflection on last weekend’s football action: Congratulations to Georgetown for pulling off the upset of the season, overcoming a 14-0 second-half deficit against previously undefeated Amesbury en route to a 15-14 victory. Now Georgetown (4-0) is the lone unbeaten team in the River Rival Region, which is quite impressive when you consider the Royals made the shift from the Commonwealth Conference Small to the Cape Ann League this season. Many schools in the CAL experience decade-long stretches between championship runs, and the Royals have made an immediate ascent to the top of the standings.
To give you an idea of how difficult it can be to mount a CAL title run, Amesbury started this season with four wins for the first time since 1989. The 1989 Indians started 8-0 and finished 9-1, which is the school’s best record over the last 25 years. For Amesbury football historians, Dave Bailey coached the 1989 team, Mark Walther played quarterback, and Tony Willis was the starting tailback. The Indians returned to glory last season, earning a CAL Small title and the first postseason tournament appearance in school history. But it took 18 years between title bids.
So count your blessings Royals fans. It’s not supposed to be this easy.
Onto the picks:

Tonight’s games

Newburyport at Ipswich, 7

Clippers quarterback Joe Clancy had his best game of the season last week in a 24-14 win over Lynnfield. He completed 16 of 21 passes for 163 yards and a touchdown. Perhaps it was no coincidence that the Clippers (1-4) notched their first win. I attribute the offensive success to three things.
1. Offensive balance (21 pass attempts vs. 30 rushing attempts). The Clippers have gotten pass-heavy in their losses.
2. No interceptions. Clancy has thrown five interceptions in four losses.
3. Improved offensive line play. It’s a young group and the pass/run balance helps keep defenders on their heels.
The pick: Newburyport 29, Ipswich 6

Lynnfield at Triton, 7

Did anyone expect Triton to beat North Reading by 27 points last week? I’d guess no. After all, North Reading beat Pentucket in Week 1. There’s no question this Triton team is vastly improved from last year’s 1-10 squad. The Vikings control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. On offense, the run sets up the threat of the big pass play. On defense, the Vikings allow four- or five-yard gains but refuse to give up large chunks of yardage. This one should be easy.
The pick: Triton 21, Lynnfield 12

Tomorrow’s games
Amesbury at Pentucket, 1:30

Indians tailback Kevin Johnston was limited to 26 rushing yards last week vs. Georgetown. I’d be surprised if he had two quiet weeks in a row, but Pentucket’s defense has not allowed a point in the last 180 minutes of action. I liked Amesbury quarterback Jared Flannigan’s effort in last week’s loss. He struggled to find open receivers on passing plays, and tailbacks Johnston and Jesse Burrell struggled to find running room, so the senior quarterback took it upon himself to make plays. He led the Indians in rushing yards (62) and scored both touchdowns. Pentucket may even have a stronger rushing attack than Amesbury; tailbacks Chris Modlish and Dan Johanson combined for 214 rushing yards last week in a win over Ipswich.
The pick: Pentucket 18, Amesbury 14

Murdock at Georgetown, 1

Another weird game on Georgetown’s schedule. I’m going to go out on a limb and say the Royals had a difficult time scheduling non-league opponents since they switched conferences last offseason. And that’s based on the fact that the Royals had two bye weeks in September, and they will complete their non-league schedule this week with a team from Winchendon. The Royals will be 5-0 after this week with non-league wins over Matignon, Marblehead and Murdock. Here’s hoping the Royals can schedule non-league opponents like Triton, Pentucket and North Andover next season.
The pick: Georgetown 41, Murdock 8

The Governor’s Academy at St. Mark’s, 2:30 p.m.
The Govs (1-3) lost to Brooks, 18-10, last week. I’ve now wrongly predicted the Govs to win three weeks in a row. What is their punishment? They must win again before I make the same mistake.
The pick: St. Mark’s 21, Govs 10

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The field hockey team of Newburyport is on a roll!

They’re 10-2-3, have won seven in a row, and are having a fantastic year. (Last year they were 5-10-4.)

The team is filled with talent (Ashley Karelis, Callie Hefferan, Cassandra Davis, and Haley Morris, just to name a few) and coach Lauren Hefferan’s new system is working wonders.

They’re facing Hamilton-Wenham at home (Fuller Field) tomorrow at 3:45 p.m., so make sure to check them out.

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The Cape Ann League Small football season is upon us. For teams like Newburyport, Amesbury and Georgetown, this week’s games signify the start of a stretch in which every win and loss could affect postseason aspirations.
For the winless Clippers (0-5), the league schedule signifies a clean slate. The players and coaches can still convince themselves they are at their best when the stakes are highest. Opening the league schedule with Lynnfield at home would appear to be a prime chance to turn the season around.
Amesbury (4-0) and Georgetown (3-0) will not have the luxury of easing into the CAL Small schedule. Those teams, with a combined record of 7-0, face off tomorrow afternoon at Georgetown High. Don’t be surprised if the winner goes on to win the league title. Both of these teams are not only winning, they’re winning in decided fashion. Amesbury is averaging 35.5 points per game and allowing 13.75. Georgetown is averaging 27.7 and allowing 6.7. Bring on the games that matter.
Onto the picks:

Tonight’s games
Lynnfield at Newburyport, 7
Newburyport cruised to a 14-0 victory over Lynnfield last fall, and the score really didn’t indicate the lopsided nature of the game. The Clippers ran the ball at will and improved to 7-3. Justin Burl played the workhorse with 26 carries for 202 yards. Kyle LeBlanc dominated the game on the defensive side, tallying three interceptions. The Clippers’ game-plan seemed to follow the Bill Belichick model for how to play an inferior opponent with a larger task looming the following week. Coach Ed Gaudiano played it conservatively in what seemed to be a refusal to show his hand to any prospective Amesbury scouts who might have been preparing for a Thanksgiving matchup that would dictate the league title. One major speed bump derailed the Clipper train in the closing minutes when Clippers quarterback Joe Clancy got into a physical altercation, was ejected from the game, and consequently suspended for the following week. It bears mentioning that the Clippers have not win since that Lynnfield game, posting an 0-6 record. Time to snap out of it.
The pick: Newburyport 19, Lynnfield 14

Pentucket at Ipswich, 7
Don’t write off Pentucket. Many might have thought of doing so after the Sachems (3-1) opened the season by losing to North Reading for the first time since 1997. But the resilient squad has not allowed a single point since the second quarter of that game, racking up shutout wins over Greater Lowell, Hamilton-Wenham and Newburyport. The Sachems have the best defense in the River Rival Region, and they run the ball very efficiently on offense. Those are important qualities for a team to possess as the weather gets colder.
The pick: Pentucket 22, Ipswich 0

Tomorrow’s games
Amesbury at Georgetown, 1
Ideally, these teams would meet closer to the end of the season because they seem like the best two squads in the CAL Small. But you play the hand you’re dealt, so let’s break this one down. The Indians (4-0) are the most complete team in the area. They have two dynamic running backs with very different skill sets — Kevin Johnston gives defenses fits with his speed, Jesse Burrell brings a power game to the table. Jared Flannigan may not have the best arm in the area, but he knows how to manage a game and move the chains. Steve Serwon is one of the better tight ends on the North Shore, and he gives the team a downfield threat. The Indians defense has been known to give up yards in the middle of the field, but touchdowns are hard to come by against the Indians. Last week, they held an explosive Lawrence offensive attack to seven points. Georgetown, on the other hand, puts so much responsibility on the shoulders of senior quarterback Joe Esposito. Last week Esposito rushed for 214 yards and three touchdowns, threw for another touchdown, kicked four extra points, and led the team in tackles (11). No word if he collected ticket receipts before the game. So I like Esposito to keep it close, but I like Amesbury’s depth too much to pick against the defending CAL Small champs.
The pick: Amesbury 31, Georgetown 27

Triton at North Reading, 11
In case you missed it, here’s how Triton beat Ipswich last week: The host Tigers scored a touchdown with 45 seconds left in the game, tying the score, 22-22. The extra point would’ve given the Tigers the lead and potentially sealed the win. So Brendan O’Neil blocked the extra point attempt to prevent the Tigers from taking the lead. Next Triton senior Bill Tindle returned the kickoff to the Ipswich 15. Then kicker Nick DeFrancesco drilled a 31-yard field goal to seal a 25-22 Triton win. How many of those kind of games did Triton lose last year? The Vikings (2-2) have learned to win, and now they’re making the huge plays down the stretch. Looking at Triton’s schedule, a five-win season isn’t out of the realm of possibilities. This week will be tough, though.
The pick: North Reading 14, Triton 8

Brooks School at The Governor’s Academy, 2:30
The Govs lost to Roxbury Latin, 21-7, last week. So this may be a rebuilding year, which is somewhat uncharacteristic of the Govs. But the Independent School League is unforgiving — that much we know. What perhaps we don’t know is this: Brooks is 0-3 this season, having lost to Buckingam Browne and Nichols, Belmont Hill and St. George’s. So I’ll take the proud tradition of the Govs this week.
The pick: Govs 14, Brooks 0

Last week’s record: 3-1
Overall record: 12-6

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Jillian Kinter’s pursuit of the Newburyport High career goals record is ongoing. She was held without a shot in the team’s 2-1 loss to Masconomet last night. She remains tied with Kristin Mahoney for the career goals record (76).

To give you an idea of Kinter’s impact on the program, the team is 49-4-2 over the last three seasons, including a Division 3 state tournament win last fall. The weight of breaking Mahoney’s goals record has to be a lot to bear for Kinter, who has one goal in her last four games.

Expect that record to fall tomorrow when the Clippers (8-1-1) play at North Andover (7-2-1). The Clippers will be motivated on the heels of their first loss of the season and a 1-1-1 record over the last three games.

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A couple pieces of information for football fans in the area:
First, we’ve re-established our membership with Rally North, so all of our local results — football and otherwise — will be posted on www.rallynorth.net on the evening of the particular games. So visit that site tonight, tomorrow and every day moving forward for the latest scores and stories.
Second, parents of Newburyport football players are starting a new tradition — pre-game tailgates. All Clipper fans are invited to the inaugural tailgate this evening (5:30-6:30 p.m.) in the side parking lot outside World War Memorial Stadium. Hot dogs are chili will be sold, but feel free to bring your own food. Alcohol is prohibited.
Many of the Newburyport football players shaved their heads as they gathered to watch Monday Night Football on television earlier this week. So if you think the Clipper fans and players are depleted by the team’s 0-4 start, think again.
Onto the picks:

Tonight’s games
Pentucket at Newburyport, 7

Newburyport (0-4) can take a few positives from its 15-13 overtime loss to North Andover last weekend. For one, the Clippers defense allowed seven points in regulation after allowing 72 points the previous two weeks. So the coaching staff appears to have remedied that problem. Also, Dave Freeman had his first evening with a heavy workload out of the Newburyport backfield, and he passed the test. With 22 carries for 117 yards, he showed the Clippers are capable of moving the ball on the ground. Now the Clippers need to find a way to play solid offense and defense on the same night.
Pentucket (2-1) flexed its collective muscle last week with a 14-0 victory over Hamilton-Wenham in the rain and mud. The Sachems are a tough team with a strong offensive and defensive line. Eventually, they may be able to connect on a few passing plays, and they’ll really be dangerous.
The pick: Pentucket 19, Newburyport 13

Lawrence at Amesbury, 7

There are two types of football coaches. The first does his best work in practice, designing schemes and implementing scouting reports. The second is the in-game manager. This coach seems to see things during the course of a game that others don’t. After Amesbury tailback Kevin Johnston exploded for four 50-plus yard touchdowns in Amesbury’s 44-14 win last week over East Boston, Indians coach Thom Connors tried to explain the strategy. In the first quarter, he noticed one of East Boston’s defensive ends had to leave the field due to an injury. From that point forward, he directed his team’s running attack toward that side of the defensive line, targeting the second-string defensive end. My point? Connors is an in-game coach. He should get credit for turning a team that went 18-36 over his first five seasons into a defending Cape Ann League Small champ that’s currently sitting pretty at 3-0.
The pick: Amesbury 35, Lawrence 21

Triton at Ipswich, 7

The common sentiment regarding Jim O’Leary in his first year as the Triton football coach is that his team is well prepared, and his players give maximum effort. Not a bad first impression to make among CAL coaches and spectators. O’Leary had two weeks to prepare for an Ipswich team that hasn’t won since 2006. The bye week came after O’Leary had a chance to dissect his team’s first two games and fix the problem areas. Give Triton the edge.
The pick: Triton 13, Ipswich 0

Tomorrow’s games
Marblehead at Georgetown, 2

Does anyone else think it’s weird that Georgetown only played two games in September? Two bye weeks in the opening month? Anyway, it’s tough to get a read on the Royals because they may be a little rusty due to the inactivity. Or they could be used to it. Tough to say. Regardless, all I can tell you is Marblehead beat Ipswich 28-15 in Week 1. I think Georgetown is capable of beating Ipswich by three touchdowns, so I’ll take Joe Esposito’s bunch.
The pick: Georgetown 27, Marblehead 14

The Governor’s Academy at Roxbury Latin, 3:45 p.m.

In two games this season, the Govs (1-1) have scored 16 points and allowed seven. How about some offense this week? They may have a chance because Roxbury (1-1) has scored 27 and allowed 50. Look for the Govs to double their season point total by halftime. And look for the Byfield Boys to return with a winning record.
The pick: Govs 28, Roxbury Latin 0

Last week’s record: 3-0
Season record: 9-5

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