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Prepare for a season-long battle in NEC Large

Wednesday, December, 26 By Phil Stacey
Sports editor

This time, it's not just coach-speak.

It's true when you hear that the Northeastern Conference Large may be as balanced as it's ever been this season. That's right; the most balanced it's ever been.

Six teams | Beverly, Danvers, Gloucester, Peabody, Revere and Winthrop | make up the 6-team league. Some teams have more speed; others are more proficient defensively or possess a deeper bench.

But no one team is so much better than the other five that they'll run away with the conference title this winter.

"Every single night is going to be a battle, no matter who you're playing," said Beverly head coach Bob Gilligan, whose team has thus far navigated its way to a 3-0-1 record, taking points vs. Peabody (a 5-2 win) and Danvers (a 4-4 tie).

"It used to be that there might be a team or two where you might figure you could get two points, but not this year. You're going to have to work for any league win you get."

Those sentiments are being echoed across the conference.

"It's a real dogfight this year," said Revere coach Jim Palumbo after getting a look at his competition during the recent NEC Jamboree at Salem State. "Every one of these teams has some terrific players who can make a difference."

Each of the six NEC Large teams came into the season with their own label: Gloucester was the perennial power; Peabody was the talented newcomer capable of taking the league crown; Beverly was the team known for its commitment to team defense; Danvers was scrappy and always in the thick of things; Winthrop was the wild card, poised for a breakout season; and Revere was the defending league champions.

Having said that, each team also had some question marks. For instance, Palumbo's Patriots were generally considered to be the sixth of a 6-team league, having lost a ton of players to graduation. Yet they've already tied Gloucester, 2-2, and beaten Danvers, 3-2, so how can they not be considered in the mix?

The same holds true for the Tanners of Peabody. Top to bottom, they might be the most talented team in the NEC, and certainly boast the most speed and deepest offense. But they've already suffered a pair of losses: 3-2 against the Lynn Jets of the NEC Small, and a poor showing in a 5-2 loss at Beverly.

"There is no way you can just show up and expect to win in this league. No way," said Peabody head coach Mark Leonard with emphasis. "One bad shift or one bad decision can cost you a game down here. Earning two points are very, very valuable."

That's something all six coaches can agree upon.