RallyNorth.net

Sims (3 TDs) helps Beverly run all over Danvers

Friday, October, 12 By Phil Stacey
Sports editor

DANVERS | It seems as though the Beverly High football team got the memo that the Second Season | better known as the Northeastern Conference Small schedule | began in earnest last night.

Apparently, Danvers High didn't get the same message. Junior running back Rashad Sims scored three rushing touchdowns and senior captain Greg Pierce rambled for 155 yards and another score as the visiting Panthers blew out the Falcons, 34-6, last night at Dr. Deering Stadium.

This was the first game for both teams played under the new NEC Small system, where games against teams in your own division (Beverly, Danvers, Swampscott, Marblehead, Saugus and Winthrop comprise the NEC Small) count in the league standings and towards a playoff berth for the league champion.

The victory over Danvers was Beverly's 50th in the 70-game series between the two teams. The Panthers lead the overall series, 50-18-2.

In winning its second straight game, Beverly (3-3 overall) rolled up nearly 350 yards on the ground and almost 400 yards of total offense for the game. Of the 39 offensive plays that the Panthers ran, not a single one went for negative yardage.

The Falcons (0-6) never responded to anything the visitors through at them and couldn't find a way to slow to Beverly defensively. They 34 points were the most Danvers has surrendered all season.

"They outplayed us, outhit us and outcoached us. We were embarrassed by our effort," Danvers head coach John Sullivan said.

"We're missing playmakers, the kind of kids who are willing to step up and make big plays. That goes for the young sophomores we're playing as well as the older guys." Beverly scored on each of its first three possessions to take a commanding 21-0 lead | and Sims wound up in the end zone each time.

The 5-foot-11, 160-pound speedster took a toss left and found paydirt from 14 yards out on Beverly's first possession. Llazar Cuko's extra point kick, the first of four for him, made it 7-0.

On the Panthers' very next offensive play, Sims took a handoff from quarterback Mark Theriault, bounced outside and outran everyone for a 48-yard score.

Then, following a Theriault-to-Sean Deady pass that gained 16 yards, Sims went misdirection right side and scored again from 14 yards out. He finished the game with 96 yards on just a half-dozen carries.

"We had a good week of practice, and that carried over into tonight's game," said Beverly head coach Dan Bauer.

Danvers' lone score came late in the second quarter as quarterback Greg Ladd completed seven straight passes, hooking up with senior Matt Pasquariello and junior Cody Croft. The last of those seven was a 5-yard bullet to Pasquariello in the right flat.

However, that was it for the hosts as the Panthers tacked on two more scores for good measure in the third quarter. Theriault threw a touchdown pass of his own, a pretty pop pass over the middle to burly senior tight end Pat Abate that was good for a 15-yard score.

Pierce then capped off the visitors' scoring exploits with a nifty 38-yard run. After taking a pitch left, he stopped short when he saw a wall of tacklers, cut back against the grain and outran the defense down the right side of the field.

Sophomore Nick Kozlowski had a fumble recovery for the winners while fellow sophomore Curtis Manuel had an interception. Senior Dave Patnaude had a stellar game as well at fullback and linebacker, including the hit of the game on Pasquariello in the red zone.

Sullivan was pleased with the play of Pasquariello offensively, as well as fullback/linebacker Chris Martin, end Bryan Blanchette (who played virtually every play of last night's game) and defensive lineman John Gikas.

"We have to find 11 kids who want to hit for next week's game (vs. Marblehead at home)," said Sullivan. "We're looking for guys who want to compete | period."