Around the CAL Baker: Week 2

by Tom Condardo

In the second week of non league play, a couple of teams made statements while three others, including the Pioneers, are still looking for that first win. I'll review all the games and take a look at the updated D3A playoff race. But first, the Baker standings.



Ipswich let it be known they are a title contender with a solid 12-6 win over Newburyport. The victory snapped an eight game Tiger losing streak against the Clippers. The Ipswich defense led the way shutting out the Clippers until midway in the third.

The Tigers led 3-0 at halftime and 10-0 until the last minute of the third when Rob Shay capped a long scoring drive with a four yard TD run to cut the lead to 10-6. Appropriately enough, it was the defense that nailed this one down, chasing Shay into the endzone following a bad snap for the safety.

Sophomore quarterback Ben Yanakakis tallied the lone Tiger score.

The Tigers travel to Byfield to take on Pat Sheehan's Triton Vikings in another non league encounter this week.

Manchester-Essex remained undefeated with an impressive 41-22 win over Saugus. The Hornets fell behind 6-0 but touchdowns from Robbie Sarmanian and Jake Athanas lifted them to a 14-6 halftime lead.

M/E capitalized on a Saugus fumble with another Sarmanian score to make it 21-6. The Sachems cut the lead to 21-14 but a Dan Rodier run upped the score to 28-14. Saugus climbed back to 28-22 midway in the fourth but Rodier quickly put this one away on a 51 yard run. Charlie Otterbein capped the scoring with a 19 yard run.

Manchester-Essex takes on Essex Tech in a non league contest this weekend.

Amesbury lost their second straight against a tough Pentucket team 27-12 as the Indian defense made things interesting for a while. Amesbury trailed 13-6 at the half but a long Pentucket score made it 20-6 in the third. A one yard blast by quarterback Zach Levarity cut the lead to 20-12 but Pentucket put it away on the next drive with a 26 yard TD pass.

The Indians host the Pioneers in a Baker League opener Friday night.

Hamilton-Wenham fell to 0-2 with a tight 21-12 loss to North Reading. The Hornets scored on the first play of the game when Michael Quaratiello returned a fumble for a score. The Generals answered with a Billy Whelan to Cam Peach 65 yard pass play but the extra point was no good and North Reading went into the half up 7-6.

Matt McCarthy scored a pair of TD's to stretch the Hornet lead to 21-6 and a Whelan one yard run with a minute to play accounted for the final score.

Hamilton-Wenham takes on Chelsea/Pope John this week in another non league game.


Division 3A Power Rankings
(Top Eight make playoffs)



Stoneham, Shawsheen, and St. Mary's continued to pull away from the pack in the D3A Playoff race as they all defeated opponents in a higher division for the second week in a row. The Pioneers picked up 2 points with their loss to Danvers because of the Falcons' two wins.