RallyNorth.net

Pentucket can't keep pace with Saugus

Saturday, October, 28 By David Willis
Staff writer

WEST NEWBURY — For a moment, Pentucket had taken control of the game.

On the third play of the fourth quarter, Sachems defensive back Brandon Wilbur intercepted a pass and returned it to the Saugus 33-yard line. Seven plays later, Wilbur hauled in a pass from his QB, Gus Flaherty, for an 8-yard touchdown.

The game was tied, but Pentucket seemed to have shifted the momentum.
On the second play of the subsequent drive, however, Saugus had a response. Marvens Jean broke a 41-yard touchdown run to give the visitors the lead for good, on the way to a 35-21 victory over Pentucket.
It was the first of the non-playoff schedule for the two teams, each known as the Sachems.
“They had some good skill kids,” said Pentucket (1-6) coach Steve Hayden. “Their running back broke some tackles and made some big plays. We hung in and moved the ball some. But we still hurt ourselves.”
Saugus took the lead on the final play of the first quarter, but Pentucket bounced right back when Flaherty hit Wilbur for a 7-yard touchdown to make it 7-7.
After Saugus retook the lead on the second play of the following drive, Pentucket tied it up again when Nate McGreal intercepted a pass and ran it back 30 yards for a touchdown.
Each time the Green and White tied it up, however, Saugus had a response, retaking the lead again with 1:03 before halftime.
Pentucket’s best chance to tie it up in the final minutes came when Wilbur wrestled the ball out of the hands of a Saugus receiver for a turnover at the visitors’ 40-yard line. But it turned into a turnover on downs.
It was a big day for Wilbur, with his two turnovers forced and two touchdown catches. Defensive lineman Jacob Luke — a massive 6-foot, 250-pound sophomore — added a pair of sacks for the home team,which now waits to find out who they will play next week.
“We had a lot of young kid playing new spots,” said Hayden. “They brought their all. We had two freshmen and four sophomores starting on defense. We had some guys in spots they aren’t used to. I’m not happy about the result, but I am happy about the effort.”