Around the CAL/NEC 4: Week 5

The frontrunner (Hamilton Wenham) was off this week and will host Bishop Fenwick this Saturday, but there were some very interesting scores that put a whole new spin on the upcoming league race. First, let's take a look at the standings.



The wildest and most interesting contest took place at Landry Stadium in Amesbury where the Ipswich Tigers picked up their first win in stunning fashion, beating the Indians 37-34 in overtime.

Going into this one, the Indians were heavy favorites with a 2-2 record. Both losses were close as they fell to Lynnfield by one and then lost a tough one to Hamilton Wenham 7-0. The Tigers, meanwhile have struggled, losing their first three games while scoring only 20 points total.

But that's why they play the games. Ipswich held a 6-0 lead at the half and were tied 20-20 at the end of regulation thanks to a late Amesbury TD. The Indians actually had a chance to win it right there but Ipswich's Louis Galanis blocked Mac Short's PAT try to send the game into OT.

Both teams scored in the first overtime and missed the two point conversions. Neither team scored in the second overtime. Both teams scored in the third overtime and converted the two pointers.

In the fourth overtime, the Tigers' Brendan Gallaher nailed a 24 point field goal to give Ipswich the lead. Then the defense held Amesbury on three downs forcing a Mac Short field goal attempt that was partially blocked and fell short.

Tiger running back Peter Moutevalis scampered for over 140 yards and five touchdowns.

The win could rejuvenate the Tigers and make them a force in the upcoming league race. The Pioneers will find out quickly. After Ipswich travels to Newburyport this week they get ready to open the league season by hosting the Pioneers on October 21.

North Reading improved to 3-2 with a 43-26 beating of Bishop Fenwick in a game that wasn't nearly that close. The Hornets rolled to a 36-0 lead behind another ridiculous performance from running back Carl Lipani. The junior averaged over 10 yards per carry in amassing 258 yards and scored five touchdowns. Lipani now has 12 TD's which not only leads Division 3A but is tied for second most in all of Eastern Mass. Vincent Burton of Blue Hills has 13 while two other players have matched Lipani with 12.

The Crusaders picked up 26 points against the Hornets' second team but this one was never in doubt. The Hornets are off this week and will begin preparation for their league opener against Georgetown on October 21.

Manchester Essex lifted its record to 3-2 with an exciting 21-18 win come from behind win over Austin Prep that came down to the final minutes of play. The two teams battled to a 6-6 tie heading into the fourth quarter when both offenses got in gear. The Hornets scored first to take a 14-6 lead but the Cougars answered with two touchdowns to edge past M/E 18-14.

With just over a minute to play, the Hornets faced a fourth and goal from the eleven yard line. M/E quarterback Corey Burnham threw a bubble screen to running back Jake Fitzgerald who picked his way through the Austin defense for the go ahead score. John Beardsley sealed the win with an interception of a Cougar pass.

The Hornets travel to Northeast this week for their final non-league tilt.

Georgetown fell to 1-3 after losing to previously winless Saugus 28-6. The Sachems built a 28-0 lead before the Royals scored their lone touchdown late in the game.They travel to Amesbury Friday night for their last non league game against what should be an ornery Indian team following their loss to Ipswich.

That's it for now. Check back Wednesday for my next installment of the Super 1986 team series.