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WEST NEWBURY — Something had to give.

Throughout the first half yesterday, Pentucket and North Andover were throwing waves of defense at each other. Packing in the area between the tackles, the two run-oriented teams struggled to gain 144 combined yards in the opening 22 minutes. Only a fumble recovered by North Andover's Dylan Lurvey at the Sachem 20-yard line could set up the lone score of the half.

WEST NEWBURY — Something had to give.

Throughout the first half yesterday, Pentucket and North Andover were throwing waves of defense at each other. Packing in the area between the tackles, the two run-oriented teams struggled to gain 144 combined yards in the opening 22 minutes. Only a fumble recovered by North Andover's Dylan Lurvey at the Sachem 20-yard line could set up the lone score of the half.

WEST NEWBURY — Thanks to its trademark grind-it-out running game, Pentucket was the aggressor for nearly 40 minutes.

But Masconomet had its home run hitter.

“Pentucket took it to us,” said Chieftains head coach Jim Pugh. “But a few big plays made by (Evan) Bunker and (Chris) Spliner were the difference in the game.”

READING — A year ago, Pentucket was on the wrong end of the upset of the year, falling to tiny North Reading on opening day at its home field.

This season, led by a pair of surprise stars, the Sachems exacted their revenge.

HAMILTON — Things can change in a heartbeat. 

After looking poised to score with just over a minute and a half left in the fourth quarter in a tie game against Hamilton Wenham, a costly Georgetown fumble gave the ball back to the Generals who marched down the field in just six plays to kick the game-winning field goal with just five seconds left.

NORTH ANDOVER — Brooks bounced back nicely from its first loss of the season with a solid 31-7 victory over The Governor's Academy.

Ahead 10-7 at halftime, the Green and White scored 21 straight points in the third quarter to pull away. Jordan Johnson (16 rushes, 107 yards) led the outburst with a 23-yard pass to Brian Chalebois, Andrew Coke then threw a 45-yard halfback pass to Methuen's Jason Buco and Johnson completed the scoring with a 23-yard run.

NORTH ANDOVER — The Triton football team may have been punished last evening for something Newburyport did last week.

North Andover, one week after being upset by the Clippers, took out its frustration on the visiting Vikings en route to a 35-8 victory at Joe Walsh Stadium.

WILMINGTON — The better team won, pure and simple.

In the Cape Ann League Large opener for both teams, Wilmington brought a physical presence that Pentucket just couldn’t match. And when senior running back Evan Butters hit his stride, the game was over for the Sachems in a 31-7 setback last night.

GEORGETOWN — The Georgetown and Ipswich football teams met yesterday with a combined record of 0-11.

The Royals collected their first victory, posting a 28-13 victory at Georgetown High. Georgetown senior captain Chris Esposito notched his second straight game in which he had 100-plus yards rushing and 100-plus yards passing. He completed 9 of 20 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns. He also had 19 carries for 100 yards and two rushing touchdowns.

PEABODY — Despite a career best game for Georgetown quarterback Chris Esposito, the Royals fell to a run-heavy Bishop Fenwick team 33-15. 

Although a Georgetown quarterback last named Esposito putting up impressive numbers is not new to the Georgetown faithful, it was the first name that was different against Fenwick. After playing fullback for two seasons behind his older brother Joe, Chris Esposito made the conversion to qb look easy as he threw for 99 yards and a touchdown pass on 10-14 passing while the fullback inside him came alive as well, bulling over defenders for 128 yards rushing most of them comming between the tackles.

WEST NEWBURY – Pentucket senior Dan Dragon issued little brother Nolan Dragon a challenge before yesterday’s game.

ROWLEY — Despite playing in light rain and on a muddy surface, the undefeated Triton Vikings seemed unaffected by the playing conditions en route to its fifth straight win, 33-14 over North Reading. The now 5-0 Vikings got another steller performance by running back Brendan O'Neil, rushing for 169 yards and two scores while the Hornets were plagued by numerous turnovers.

AMESBURY — Amesbury stacked up Georgetown quarterback Chris Esposito inside the Amesbury 1-yard-line with 3:10 remaining in the fourth quarter, effectively sealing a 3-0 victory at Landry Stadium. “You can’t get any better than winning on a goal-line stand,” Amesbury coach Thom Connors said. “They pushed us right to the goal-line, but we did what we needed to do.” Amesbury (1-3) dominated possession in the first half, running 32 offensive plays to Georgetown’s 10. Amesbury opened the game with a nine-play, 40-yard drive, which ended when Nick Croce missed a 46-yard field goal attempt. Three plays later, the Royals (0-4) fumbled on their own 39.

WEST NEWBURY – A still astonished Paul Treado could describe his kick with just one word.

“I was relieved,” said the Pentucket kicker while taking in the moment. “Ecstatic, but very relieved.”

Chris esposito had nine tackles