TOPSFIELD- The Pentucket football team marched into Bunker Stadium last
night and made the big plays when it mattered most, defeating Masconomet
21-14.
The Chieftains took their first possession 73 yards capped off by a
five-yard touchdown run by Mackenzie Cashin but the Sachems were able to
buckle down defensively.
“They marched right down the field their first possession . It was chunk
after chunk after chunk. But the kids hung in and made plays,” said
Pentucket (4-0) head coach Steve Hayden. “It’s the third week in a row
we’ve had a nail-biter. When we win, we all win.”
The Sachems literally took the game from the Chieftains (3-2) behind
big plays from Liam Corkery, who grabbed two interceptions and hauled in
113 receiving yards. His second pick of the game came in the final
minute on a pass that Masco receiver Corey Tines appeared to grab but
Corkery ripped the ball away from him as the two tumbled to the ground.
Corkery also had some impressive catches-none more so than his lone
second-half catch where he spun towards his back-shoulder and made a
one-handed grab for a 29-yard gain. He and Sachems’ signal caller Ryan
Kuchar (7 for 11 for 160 yards and a touchdown) had a strong connection
throughout the game.
Kuchar tied the game at 7-7 on a one-yard sneak in the second quarter
and then put Pentucket ahead 14-7 with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jeff
Porter. Porter added the game-winning score on a four yard touchdown run
in the third quarter.
“Give Pentucket credit. Kuchar and Corkery had great games,” said Masco
head coach Jim Pugh. “No excuses, we got out-played and we got out-hit.
They made the plays that we didn’t. Now there in good position to win
the league.”
Masco tied the game with just seconds left in the first half on a 1-yard
sneak by Troy Bunker. The Chieftains went 67 yards on eight plays in
less than a minute and a half.
Masco looked to keep rolling in the second half when Mike Tivinis (11
carries for 154 yards) broke a 53-yard run on his first touch of the
third quarter. However Masco’s star back was injured on the play and
didn’t return. From that point on, Masco failed to sustain any real
offense.
The Sachems meanwhile leaned on the hard running of Andrew Noyes, who
churned out 111 yards on 20 carries. Porter added 42-yards on the ground
and 47-receiving yards.
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Topsfield, MA 01983
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Team | League | Overall | PF-PA |
---|---|---|---|
Pentucket | 3-0-0 | 8-2-0 | 233-120 |
Masconomet | 1-1-0 | 2-1-0 | 51-53 |
North Andover | 1-1-0 | 5-6-0 | 275-279 |
Triton | 0-2-0 | 1-2-0 | 51-60 |
Lawrence | 0-1-0 | 3-8-0 | 223-375 |
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