RallyNorth.net

Fri, Oct 12, 2007 07:00 PM @ Ipswich

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Masconomet	7	21	14	0	42
Ipswich	0	0	8	0	8

Masconomet stays unbeaten by thrashing Ipswich

Friday, October, 12 By Nick Turczak
Staff writer

IPSWICH | Masconomet's undefeated season was never really in jeopardy as the visitors ran through the mud and were too slick for the Ipswich Tigers, 42-8 last night.

Senior T.C. Mannetta led a quartet of running backs for the 6-0 Chieftains, gaining 72 yards on just four carries, including the a 51-yard touchdown run in the early minutes.

The game looked as if it might slip away from Ipswich in the first quarter after it fumbled away on their next possession inside their own 20. However, the Tigers showed spirit as they forced a Mannetta fumble two plays later to regain some momentum.

Ipswich head coach Ted Flaherty praised his team's effort, despite being 0-6.

"Our effort was much better than the week before. The thing that was better was that I could see the kids wanted to be at the point of attack and they lined up properly and did it all with a good attitude, which we were lacking last week," said Flaherty

While the Tigers effort never diminished, their chances of competing did. After Masconomet's Clay Cleveland put a 1-yard run into the endzone The Chieftain's quarterback and corner Chris Splinter returned an interception 30 yards to make it 21-0 and the rout was on.

Mike Fauci's 2-yard touchdown run put Masco up 28-0 at the half and most of the starters watched the second half.

"It was good that we got to play a lot of our guys, it was certainly good for all of them," said Masconomet head coach Jim Pugh.

The halftime score was no real surprise to either coach.

"They're young and rebuilding, but you still have to go into every game with the proper mindset to get the job done. We're bigger and stronger and that's the bottom line. Our athletes came through and it was a good win," said Pugh.

"They were faster and stronger, just like we thought," admitted Ipswich's Flaherty.

Chieftains' backup quarterback Drew Bunker would score the first second half points on a 33-yard keeper. Sophomore Jake Lawrence would complete the Masco's scoring on a 5-yard run.

The Tigers' lone offense came on a pretty play action pass from Zach Gorrell to Sean McHugh for a 51-yard score.

"The development comes a little slower when most of your players are sophomores because the speed of the game is so different, but I can definitely see the improvement," said Flaherty.

Masco outrushed Ipswich, 174-46. Splinter was 3 for 5 for 31 yards. Zach Gorrell was 4 for 12 for 78 yards and a touchdown.

Masco travels to Lawrence next week.