Around the CAL Baker: Week 6

By Tom Condardo

With the Pioneers enjoying their bye week, only two games took place in the CAL Baker this week. And despite have the week off, the Pioneer enjoyed a bump in the Division 3A playoff race. I'll get to the two Baker games and a look at the playoff battle but first, the updated CAL Baker standings.




The big story this week was Amesbury's upset win over Hamilton Wenham last Saturday. The Indians came in with an 0-5 record and the Generals had won three straight, but Amesbury took to a punishing ground game to hand H/W their first Baker loss.

Amesbury rumbled for almost 250 rushing yards and built a 24-6 lead with two and a half minutes left in the third. But the Generals unleashed their potent aerial attack to get back in it. A 59 yard TD from quarterback Billy Whelan to Jake Lanciani cut the lead to 24-12 and Whelan hit Cam Peach for the two to make it 24-14 heading into the final quarter.

On a fourth and goal from the 15, the Generals took the trickeration route when Peach threw to Whelan for the score. It was the second week in a row H/W has used that play so you can bet the Pioneers will be ready for it. Lanciani booted the PAT and the lead was down to 24-21 with just under four minutes to play. The Indians held on from there for the win.

Ironically, the HW loss hurt Ipswich more than the Generals since it eliminated the Tigers from title contention. Ipswich is 2-1 in league play and HW is 1-1. If the Generals beat the Pioneers this week, both teams will be 2-1 heading into their Thanksgiving Day game. However, an Ipswich win eliminates HW and the Pioneers will beat the Tigers thanks to their head to head win. The Tigers' only hope was an HW win and a possible three way tie with Lynnfield and HW.

The Tigers won again by holding off Manchester Essex to pick up their second league win. They built a big lead but then had to withstand a furious Hornet finish.

Amesbury hosts Manchester Essex in a Baker game Friday while the Tigers welcome Georgetown in a non league contest.

Division 3A Power Ratings




It all comes down to this week for final playoff seeding and there's still quite a bit to be decided.

The Pioneers had a good week even though they didn't play. Ipswich's win over Man-Essex and Amesbury's upset win over H/W gave the Pioneers six additional points. They also picked up a point with Danvers' win over Beverly. That lifted them to sixth place.

St. Mary's and Shawsheen look to be headed for the top two seeds although both have tough games this week. St. Mary's plays Austin Prep and Shawsheen has an intradivision showdown with Greater Lawrence.

Stoneham can also tumble as they have now lost two straight and face a 5-1 Watertown team this week.

Greater Lawrence will likely finish third even with a loss to Shawsheen since most of the teams they defeated have a good shot at winning this week. They will pile up the opponent points there. Should Stoneham lose and the Pioneers take care of business against H/W, the Pioneers could be looking at a 4 or 5 seed. Northeast would be close and if they beat Lynn Tech they could finish fourth as well.

Ipswich faces Georgetown and a win there should cement their playoff position and Winthrop could squeeze past HW with a 12 point win over Swampscott and the Generals fall to the Pioneers.

Lots to sort out but it likely won't be decided until the Saturday afternoon games are complete.

That's it for now. Check back Thursday for my Ham-Wen game preview.