Around the League: Week Eight

With three league games last week, things are starting to sort themselves out in the CAL Small. Funny thing though. While we were all preoccupied with the defeat of the two time defending champs two weeks ago and the big win over Newburyport last Saturday, the Hamilton Wenham Generals were busy sneaking back into the race.

Another interesting point: there is only one team in the league with a winning overall record. Guess who? The Clippers are at .500 but the other five teams all have more losses than wins.

So first, let's take a look at the current standings. You may recognize that team ON TOP.



So what about Hamilton-Wenham? After five games, the Generals were winless having scored only two touchdowns. Four of those were non league losses following their opening night 19-0 league loss to Newburyport. But with some healing by Quarterback Andy Duval and lineman Paul Littlefield and a return to CAL Small play, the Generals have now won two in a row and sit in third place with a 2-1 mark. With a game against the Pioneers in two weeks, they actually have the best chance to trip up Lynnfield should they stumble.

After erasing a 16-0 deficit in a come from behind 24-16 win over North Reading two weeks ago, they won a defensive struggle against Georgetown 3-0 last week. Tucker White nailed a 36 yard field goal (another field goal!) with 11 seconds to upend the Royals. Late in the game, Chris Esposito led Georgetown on a long drive but fumbled at the 23. The Generals' Andy Duval, getting healthy after suffering a bad ankle all year, led H-W on a 69 yard winning scoring drive. White made the kick on a third and five at the Royal 19 yard line.

The win sets up a huge game this week when Amesbury, also 2-1 in the league, comes calling. A General win would lift them to 3-1 in the league and if the Pioneers get past Ipswich, would set up another mini Championship Game the following week. Georgetown travels to North Reading to take on the Hornets.

Speaking of this week's Pioneer opponent, Ipswich continues to wallow in their misery. They nearly pulled off a humongous upset last week when they led Amesbury 17-14 in the fourth quarter. But with less than three minutes to play, Nicholas Croce booted a 27 yard field goal to tie it at 17-17 to force overtime. The Indians scored on their first play in OT but failed on the two point conversion. The Indian defense held the Tigers on four rushing plays to escape with the  23-17 victory.

It was the mind-boggling 29th straight loss for the Tigers since winning the 2006 3A Super Bowl. The win keeps Amebury's title hopes alive.

North Reading meanwhile took on Pentucket in a poster game for why CAL Small teams should not play CAL Large teams. The Sachems were spanked by Wilmington 31-7 two weeks ago so what better way to get that out of your system than by bullying a much smaller team into submission. Mission accomplished as Pentucket steamrolled North Reading 34-3. They held the Hornets to 91 yard of offense in the first three periods.

Bobby Rosano had 61 yards rushing for North Reading and Eric Valenti gave the Hornets their only points on...what else...a 32 yard field goal. The Hornets host Georgetown this week.

Check back on Thursday for a preview of the Pioneer/Ipswich contest.

Material from the Newburyport Daily News, Lawrence Eagle Tribute, Salem Evening News, Boston Herald and Rally North.net was used in compiling this report.