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Winless Danvers no match for unbeaten Gloucester

Thursday, November, 22 By Matt Langone
Staff writer

GLOUCESTER | In terms of the standings, yesterday's Thanksgiving Day contest between unbeaten Gloucester and winless Danvers meant absolutely nothing.

The Falcons had not tasted success this fall, but an upset victory over their archrivals from Cape Ann would have put a happy ending on an otherwise frustrating season.

However, chances of a Turkey Day miracle for the visiting Falcons were eliminated early on yesterday as the Northeastern Conference Large champion Fishermen played like a team on a mission en route to a convincing 48-7 win at Newell Stadium.

"I thought Gloucester played very well," said Danvers head coach John Sullivan, whose team finished 0-11. "They're a very strong team with a very strong running game.

"We tried to shorten the game as much as possible and keep their offense off the field. But it didn't work out that way."

The tone of this contest was set early on by Gloucester senior captain Adam Quinn. The defensive lineman picked off a pass from Danvers quarterback Greg Ladd (4 of 7, 51 yards) on the fourth play from scrimmage and rumbled 43 yards before being tackled on the Falcons 4-yard line.

Fellow Fishermen captain Andrew Fulford (5 rushes, 30 yards) then scored on a 4-yard run on the next play for a quick 7-0 Gloucester lead.

Anthony Enderle (3 rushes, 83 yards) would tack on a 48-yard TD run with 5:24 left in the first quarter.

Fulford contributed a 3-yard score one minute later for an imposing 21-0 lead after the first quarter.

"With the field being mucky and chewed up, we figured it would be a good idea to defer to the second (half) and let their offense try to move the ball first," said Gloucester coach Paul Ingram of his decision to kick off after winning the coin toss. "Quinn's interception got us off to a good start."

The second quarter was more of the same as Fishermen junior quarterback Rick Gallant | who only attempted two passes | found junior Taylor Burbine wide open in the end zone. Gallant fired a rocket from 12 yards out and hit Burbine right in the numbers for the score.

Brian Harnish also added a 6-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, leading to a 34-0 halftime lead.

Danvers was held to just 132 yards of total offense while Gloucester's Cam Marston, Giacomo Romeo and Robert Lowe all recorded sacks on the Falcons' quarterbacks.

The Falcons finally broke through with their only score in the fourth quarter when Ladd hit junior wide receiver Cody Croft for a 22-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter.

Additional stories:

• Gloucester rolls past rival Danvers, sight set on playoffs