Weekly Picks
Oct 31st, 2008 by Dan Guttenplan
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
