The next month will settle football debates
Oct 29th, 2008 by Dan Guttenplan
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.
