RallyNorth.net

Manchester Essex steamrolls CAC small rival Minuteman

Monday, September, 29 By Nick Curcuru
Staff writer

WOBURN - The Manchester Essex football team has gotten used to two things this season.

The first is playing in bad weather, as the Hornets have played in the rain for two of their first three games.

The second, and most important, is winning big. In three games this season Manchester Essex has outscored their opponents 119-28. The latest being a 40-6 shellacking of CAC small rival Minuteman on Saturday at Woburn High School. The Hornets (3-0) were aided by a 27 point first quarter.

"We came out ready to go and played a great game today," Hornets head coach Mike Athanas said. "I was a little nervous because you never know how teams will come out in morning games (10:30 a.m. start), but this was a picture perfect effort, exactly what we are looking to do every week."

As for the weather, while it was not ideal, Athanas didn't mind because his team was not affected by it.

"These conditions aren't ideal with the way we play," Athanas said. "But so far we have played great in the bad weather. (Saturday) was not too bad because the rain held off for a lot of the first half and the field was in excellent shape."

If there was any play that was indicative of how the game would go, it was the opening kickoff. The kick hit off a Minuteman up back and stalled at the 27 yard line. While the Minuteman receiving team stood around waiting for a teammate to jump on the ball, Manchester's Ben Kekeisen jumped on it giving the Hornets a first down deep in Mustang territory.

To add insult to injury, Manchester Essex would score on the first play of the game when quarterback Pat Orlando hit Brian Ciccone for a 27 yard touchdown pass to make it 7-0. After forcing a three and out, the Hornets once again took over in Mustang territory where Kekeisen would add a 16 yard run four plays later to make it 14-0.

The Hornets kept rolling on their next drive, which once again started in Mustang territory. Orlando hit Doug Kenerson in the back of the end zone for a 35-yard touchdown to make it 21-0. Kenerson battled good coverage in the back of the end zone but was able to come away with the jumping catch, and get his feet down despite having a defender draped all over him.

Manchester Essex was forced to start off in their own territory on their next drive, but were still able to put together a six-play, 57-yard drive that culminated in a 17-yard Jack Bishop touchdown reception to make it 27-0, after the first quarter.

Ciccone added a 10 yard run in the second quarter to make it 34-0 at the half, where the Hornets gave the game to the backups.

Playing against the Mustangs starters, the Hornets second team controlled the second half, outscoring their opponents 7-6 in the two quarters and dominating time of possession.

Athanas credited both the offensive and defensive lines for their play, as Hornet ball carriers had huge holes to run through, and often went untouched for close to 10 yards.

"We dominated the trenches today," Athanas said. "They were a little bigger than we were up front but we used our quickness to win the battle on both sides of the ball. Both lines were very impressive today. Football is all about winning the battle up front and we dominated it today."

The Hornets will now be looking at their first big test of the season when they face CAC large powerhouse Shawsheen Tech (6 p.m. Endicott College). Athanas is hoping for the same effort his team got this week.

"We looked great today and if we get another effort like that we will be in good shape." Athanas said. "Most importantly we need to control the line of scrimmage again."