RallyNorth.net

Sachem fill-ins do the job

Saturday, September, 18 By Dave Dyer
Staff writer

WEST NEWBURY — Pentucket athletic director Dan Thornton was busy texting yesterday afternoon, less than a minute into the Sachems’ home game against Danvers.

“Sean’s (Brennan) dad called me before the game and said to tell him if Sean did anything,” said Thornton. “He went to Villanova to visit Sean’s older brother, Michael.”

The older Brennan found out quickly what he missed as Sean — a fleet 5-foot-9 junior —  returned the opening kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown, three minutes later scored on a 39-yard run and gained 113 yards on just eight carries for the day as the Sachems won their second straight game, 31-16 over the Falcons.

Brennan got more playing time than usual because their top running backs are banged up. Senior C.J. Lataille and junior Nolan Dragon have yet to carry the ball this year because of injuries and junior Matt Barry injured his shoulder after just one carry yesterday and left the game early.

That — along with injuries to Paul Mangodt, Tim Freiermoth and Kevin Dunn — has left the Sachems scrambling for both running backs and linebackers, but they haven’t missed a beat yet — particularly on the offensive side of the ball.

Picking up the slack in addition to Brennan yesterday were fullback Jeremy Krugh, who gained 120 yards on 15 carries and Paul Treado, who checked in with 78 yards on 10 carries. Even freshman Chris Croteau got in the act with 24 yards on four attempts as Pentucket finished with 358 yards on the ground.

“It was nice to get to run the ball,” said Brennan. “I could see the opening right away (on the kickoff return). Everybody got their blocks —  we’ve been practicing kickoffs a lot in practice. Coach (John) Sexton always says that special teams wins games.”

Brennan’s kickoff return set off a scoring splurge in the opening quarter. Jim Oliveri scored on a 78-yard run on Danver’s first play from scrimmage, knotting the score at 7-7 after just 35 seconds. Brennan’s 39-yard jaunt made it 14-7 two minutes later, but Danvers responded with a 10-yard TD run to make it 14-13.

A 29-yard Treado field goal gave Pentucket a 17-13 lead — still in the first quarter.

The Sachems gained control in the second quarter, taking a 24-13 lead, when Krugh completed a 78-yard drive with a two-yard run and Danvers coughed up two fumbles in three possessions.

The Sachems’ defense stiffened a bit in the second half, allowing just a field goal, and a three-yard run by quarterback Mike Dowd provided a more comfortable cushion.

Treado had a fine all-around game, with four extra points, a field goal and some fine defensive plays, and the entire offensive line played well.

“We’re down to our last leg on linebackers, especially when (Kevin) Dunn went out, and we have a lot of young kids on defense and that showed,” said Pentucket coach Steve Hayden. “But we had some guys step up which was good to see. Sean Brennan had a real nice game and Paul Treado is getting better all the time.”