NEWBURYPORT — A Pentucket football game is not for the faint of heart.
For the second week in a row, the Sachems (3-0 overall, 2-0 CAL) held off a final surge from a Cape Ann League Large opponent with their defense backed up inside their own 10. Once again, last night, Pentucket’s defense made a stop as time expired as the Sachems posted a 14-7 victory over Newburyport (2-2, 1-1 CAL).
Pentucket defensive back Ryan Kuchar knocked down Mike Shay’s final pass in the back of the end zone. The players on the Pentucket sideline then spilled onto the field in celebration after they realized the game was over.
The Clippers had marched from their own 6-yard-line to the Pentucket 9-yard-line in a span of 1:43, giving the hosts one final shot at the end zone with six seconds remaining. Shay rolled to his right with what appeared to be an option to run or pass. Neither option looked too promising, and Shay’s final throw found Kuchar’s down-swiping hands.
Last week, Pentucket beat Triton 19-13 under similar circumstances.
The turning point came early in the fourth quarter when Newburyport botched a snap on an attempt to punt the ball.
Pentucket’s Jack Richard recovered on the Newburyport 25.
Four players later, Kuchar, who also plays quarterback, carried it over the goal line on a 1-yard plunge, giving the Sachems a 14-7 lead.
Both teams scored touchdowns on their opening offensive drives. Pentucket’s Jeff Porter kicked off the scoring with a 6-yard touchdown run, capping a drive in which he had three carries for 28 yards.
