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LYNNFIELD — It’s been a year filled with more downs than ups for North Reading.

After an impressive 3-0 start to the season, the Hornets dropped six of seven heading into yesterday’s Thanksgiving showdown at Lynnfield. In spite of the fact that the visitors had won the past three meetings by a wide margin (85-18), Lynnfield routed the now 4-7 Hornets, 21-0.

North Reading opened the season with just 18 players, but still managed to shock perennial Cape Ann League large power Pentucket on opening day. That kicked off a season-opening three-game winning streak.

North Reading star Darren Hartwell has scored a touchdown five different ways; passing, rushing, receiving, return a punt and returning a kickoff.

AMESBURY —The Amesbury football team appeared doomed last evening at halftime of a Cape Ann League Small matchup with bottom-feeder Lynnfield.

Not only did the Indians trail 12-0, but quarterback/safety Jared Flannigan’s second-half return appeared questionable after he missed all but nine seconds of the closing 9:21 of the first half due to a head injury.

TRITON — Don’t look now, but the Triton Vikings are off to a terrific start at 4-2 after shutting out Lynnfield, 22-0.

Perhaps sneaking up on other teams this season, the Vikes won their third straight in convincing fashion behind the bruising running of tailback Brendan O’Neil (15 carries, 76 yards, 2 touchdowns). Wrapping up their CAL Small portion of the schedule, the Vikes quadrupled the total of wins of the team from a year ago, something that has even caught the players themselves off guard.

NEWBURYPORT ­— Starting its CAL Small opener with a bang, Kyle LeBlanc intercepted Lynnfield quarterback Chris Grassi’s pass on the second play of the game returning it 40-yards for a touchdown, and the Clippers never relinquished the lead, beating the Pioneers, 24-14.

LYNNFIELD — With a dominating defensive performance and the legs of quarterback Joe Esposito leading the way, the Georgetown Royals beat up on a lackluster Lynnfield squad 14-0 yesterday afternoon on the Pioneers home field.