Around the League: Week Three

Time to take another look around the CAL Small. First, the updated standings.



There was only one league game this week and as expected the Newburyport Clippers had an easy time with the struggling Ipswich Tigers. Kyle LeBlanc exploded for three TD's enroute to a 37-0 victory and a quick 3-0 record in the CAL Small. LeBlanc now has 37 points good for second place in Division 3A.

By the way, Gino Cohee has 30 points tied for fifth in the division.

Newburyport now takes a trip through the CAL Large for the next four weeks with games against Pentucket, Masconomet, Wilmington and North Andover. Their next CAL Small game will be against - you guessed it - your Lynnfield Pioneers on Halloween. Could be a game with some implications.

But all is not smooth sailing in Clipperland. Dan Guttenplan of the Newburyport Daily News is reporting that one of their key offensive players, receiver Andrew Sokol, suffered a knee injury against North Reading two weeks ago and only made it into the second period against Ipswich before being forced to the sideline. He may not play against Pentucket.

Guttenplan points out that Sokol set the single season record for receptions for Newburyport last season and that takes in a lot of great Clipper receivers over the years. Sokol hauled in 42 passes for 702 yards and six touchdowns. That's a situation that bears watching.

As for the poor Tigers, they have now lost three straight this year, 24 overall since winning the Super Bowl in December of 2006. They have been shutout all three games this season and have been outscored 93-0. Things could get even uglier this week when the Tigers travel to powerhouse Triton Friday night.

North Reading fell to a veteran Cardinal Spellman team 28-16 for their second loss of the season. The Hornets allowed 175 yards rushing to CS who plays in Div 3A Catholic Central Large League. NR fell behind 14-0 early then cut it to 14-8 but could never dig out of the hole. (Sound familiar?).

The Hornets continue to get good production out of quarterback John Brooks who threw his third TD pass of the year (tied for fourth in Division 3A.) RB Bobby Rosano also scored for the Hornets. NR hosts Austin Prep on Saturday.

Amesbury played its best game of the year so far but fell to East Boston of Division Four's Boston North League. The Indians broke their scoreless streak with 19 points. They held the veteran Eastie squad to 14-12 at half, but a super running game by the Bostonians blew it open in the second half and the Indians lost 34-19.

The good news for Amesbury was the return of running back Jesse Burrill who gave the Indians some offense. The senior ran for 110 yards. Amesbury has a bye this week.

Georgetown dropped down a division to take on an old Commonwealth Conference foe in Shawsheen. They appeared headed for a victory leading 13-0 in the third, but Shawsheen roared back to tie it with 1:38 in the game. They ran it in for a score on the second play of OT. Georgetown had a fourth and goal from the four on their possession, but quarterback Tyran Harrigan was sacked as the Royals fell 21-13.

Shawsheen came into the game 0-2 having been outscored 69-15 by Wilmington and Arlington Catholic. The Royals travel to Marblehead this week to try and get in the win column. The Headers beat Ipswich 30-0 in Week One.

Hamilton-Wenham stepped up to the CAL Large last week and became Pentucket's first victim 35-0. The Generals, now 0-3, have been hit by the injury bug and played without quarterback Andy Duval and lineman Paul Littlefield both suffering ankle injuries. H-W has now been outscored 93-12. They host Bishop Fenwick this weekend.

Check back Thursday for a look at the Pioneer-Cathedral game.

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