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Second quarter woes doom Pentucket in loss ot Masco

Saturday, October, 11 By David Willis
Staff writer

WEST NEWBURY — For three quarters, Pentucket football stood toe-to-toe with Cape Ann League-leading Masconomet.

Unfortunately for the Sachems, the Chieftains delivered a dominant second quarter that saw them score three touchdowns, and that was enough for Masco in a 21-8 victory over their longtime league rival.

“We had our shots,” said Pentucket head coach Steve Hayden. “But they just controlled us up front. They are a big, solid team with some talented running backs. We fought, but they took us as the line and that hurt us.”

Behind a hulking offensive line with three players 250 or larger, the Chieftains utilized their dangerous rushing attack to take control of the contest. Without attempting a single pass, they scored all three of their touchdowns in a matter of eight minutes. Gavin Monagle rushed for two scores and Scott Foden broke an 80-yard run just before halftime to place a firm grasp on the contest.

“We are big and our dominant offensive and defensive line really took control,” said Masco coach Jim Pugh, a Merrimac resident. “Ever since the second half of the Reading game (Masco’s only loss) we have been pounding the ball and it has worked very well. We didn’t have to pass, because we have a lot of options on the ground. Pentucket is always a very tough team, but we used our size.”

The Sachems showed that toughness in the second half, forcing Masco into a three-and-out, squashing another drive at their 26-yard line and then forcing another punt.

The Sachems were once again led by star tackle-machine Josh Wesolowski, who was all over the field with 16 tackles and combined with fellow wrestler Noah Malhi (eight tackles) on a fumble recovery. Joe Raimondi, a 170-pound defensive tackle, also held his own with six stops.

“They played tough and they did a good job of hanging in the game and shutting them out in the second half,” said Hayden. “We are a team that is still learning, and they came out in an eight-man line look that took some time to adjust to. But we battled.”

The Sachems did score the lone touchdown of the second half, when sophomore fullback Liam Sheehy plunged in from 5 yards out. But Masco recovered the onside kick and ran out the clock.

“This is sure a better feeling than the last two times we played Pentucket and they beat us (2013, 2010),” said Pugh. “It is always big to beat Pentucket because they are always a physical, disciplined team. They might not have the stars they have had in past years, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have the heart and desire to win. So it is always nice to beat them.”