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Esposito, Royals beat the heat

Saturday, September, 08 By Steve Palladino
Staff writer

GEORGETOWN | Georgetown certainly knows how to get the most out of its limited resources.

Working with 36 dressed players in heat exhaustion-type conditions, the Royals utilized every part of their unit while riding the hot hand and fast footwork of quarterback Joe Esposito to a 28-20 season-opening win over Lynnfield.

"It was sure hot today and the majority of our players were going both ways (offense and defense)," said the junior signal caller who had his hand in each of Georgetown's four touchdowns.

Of the three dozen players that dressed for Georgetown, 16 are freshman and only 14 have significant varsity experience.

The game came down to the final minute as Lynnfield had a chance to get even after a snap over the head of the Georgetown punter put the Pioneers at the Royals' 25, with 1:09 to play. But the Georgetown defense held strong and stopped Lynnfield quarterback Tyler Surrette's fourth-down run to seal the win.

"We were in some tough situations today and we battled," said Esposito who completed 9 of 17 for 130 yards. "We executed when we needed to."

Esposito teamed with senior Brandon Wade on four completions, which included a 28-yard screen-pass touchdown early in the fourth quarter that pushed Georgetown into a two-touchdown lead.

"Joe is a big leader for us," said Georgetown coach Matt Bouchard. "He kept up a good tempo (to the offense) today and it wasn't easy. With so many guys going both ways, by the second quarter they were all burnt out."

Esposito (105 rushing yards) took the leadership role in the third quarter when he ripped off a 57-yard run to snap the halftime tie (14-14) and put the Royals ahead to stay.

The Georgetown quarterback was the beneficiary of some generous gaps that allowed for extra yardage. Senior offensive guard Jeff Rollins had a fine game up front as did junior tackle Jeff McLaughlin.

Esposito and the Georgetown offense were presented with favorable field position on the opening drive after junior Matt Kumph blocked a Lynnfield punt attempt, placing the ball at the Lynnfield 47. Seven plays later Esposito found sophomore Andrew Bugler in the end zone on a four-yard pass play.

The Royal defense made its first big stand of the day in the second quarter when it stopped Lynnfield on the Georgetown 31 on a fourth-down play when McLaughlin broke through and forced a fumble, setting up Georgetown at its own 34.

Esposito immediately connected with Wade for gains of 27 and 22 yards, which eventually set up Esposito's 15-yard TD run. Wade had a fine game on the defensive side of the ball and picked off Lynnfield quarterback Tyler Surrette in the pivotal third quarter.