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Spy Ponders end Hornets' season

Even Mother Nature seemed to be going against the Manchester Essex girls lacrosse team yesterday.

As if playing a state tournament game on the road (and dealing with a long bus ride) weren't enough, the Hornets (9-7) and host Arlington (13-5-2) had to wait out a one-hour rain delay before they could compete in their Division 2 North second round contest. The Spy Ponders led from start to finish in an 11-6 win.

Hornets end season with a win

The Manchester Essex softball team came into yesterday's season finale against Greater Lowell looking to accomplish two things:

First, the Hornets wanted to win their final game of the season, which would give them a better final record than last season.

Hornets close out Vikings with seven-goal burst

Like basketball, lacrosse is a game of runs.

How else could you explain yesterday's girls lacrosse game between Manchester Essex and Triton ? The Hornets were up 6-2 at the half before the Vikings tied it at six and later eight. Finally, Manchester Essex closed the game with an impressive seven-goal run en route to a 15-8 win. The Hornets (7-6) never trailed but the margin didn't feel safe until the final whistle.

Rockport holds off spirited Hornets

Having already clinched a berth in the state tournament, the Rockport baseball team's matchup with one-win Manchester Essex looked to be a classic trap game.

Sure enough, the Vikings were given a run for their money from a very spirited Hornets squad. But fortunately for Rockport, they were able to stay out of the trap thanks to a three-run seventh inning en route to a 9-7 win yesterday at Memorial Field in Essex.

Pitching trio not fazed by rule changes

The 2008 softball season was built for offense.

With the pitcher's mound moved from 40 to 43 feet, hitters can now tee off on opposing pitchers.

Despite the changes in the game being to their disadvantage, the pitching on Cape Ann has still been stellar. Gloucester, Rockport and Manchester Essex each have an ace pitcher they send to the mound every game in Jill Lukegord, Tia Nelson and Lindsey Cambridge, respectively. Collectively they have put up impressive pitching numbers in a sport all of a sudden dominated by offense.

Whittier falls to Manchester Essex

Kendra Hobbs had an RBI single but Whittier fell to Manchester Essex 6-1. Jordan Silva went 2 for 5 with three RBIs and Sean Milley went 2 for 4 with a pair of RBIs.

Georgetown qualifies for tourney with win over Hornets

Shannon Hartford netted four goals and two assists in Georgetown's state-tournament clinching victory. Kelly Burke added three goals and an assist for the Royals (9-4). Kristen Pingree, Emma Cannon, Michelle Reilly and Alyssa Rosenthal added one goal each. Kate Grosslein had an assist. April Surrette made 11 saves. Royals coach Heather Hartford cited the defensive efforts of Robyn Scotti, Katherine Falzareno and Rosenthal.

Georgetown falls to Manchester-Essex

The Hornets got back to .500 with the victory, as they improved to 4-4 with a 13-9 win over Georgetown.

Haley Irwin led the way with four goals and junior Annie Osborne, who recently came back from injury, added two goals and two assists.

Manchester Essex pounds Masconomet

Finding offense has been the Achilles' heel for the Manchester Essex softball team this season.

When the Hornets get base runners, they have been struggling to bring them in. However, that wasn't the problem yesterday against Masconomet. Powered by a six run first and second inning, the Hornets pounded the Chieftains, 19-1, at Sweeney Park.

Hornets offensive slump continues

In the game of softball, a win or a loss can come down to who gets timely hits, especially when the two teams are evenly matched. Sure enough, timely hitting was the difference in yesterday's Cape Ann League softball game between Manchester Essex and Lynnfield.

Rockport bats stay hot against Hornets

During the 2007 season, the Rockport baseball team was plagued by a lack of offense. Ironically, in the early going of the 2008 season, the Vikings have been carried by their offense, scoring 40 runs over the first four games of the season.

Hornets knock off Rockport with late rally

It all came down to one inning for the Manchester Essex softball team.

Trailing Rockport 3-2 going into the bottom of the seventh inning, the Hornets needed a player to step up and be a hero. Fortunately for Manchester Essex, Alex Zager and Patty Wright were up to the task.

Hornets struggle defensively, fall to Georgetown

The Manchester Essex baseball team has been hitting and pitching effectively. Now they just need to get their defense squared away.

The Hornets committed nine errors yesterday, which led to nine unearned runs in a 15-7 loss to Georgetown. It was the second consecutive game that Manchester Essex (0-2) was plagued by defensive miscues.

Manchester Essex girls lax team earns first win over Newburyport

The Manchester Essex girls lacrosse team registered their first win of the season yesterday and every player saw playing time in the 12-5 victory over Newburyport.

Senior Molly Osborne netted a hat trick, while sophomore Hillary Doucette, Amanda Azadian and Shane Gordon added two goals each. Goalie Vicky Grimes played well in net for the Hornets (1-2), making 12 saves.

Ipswich ace Desmond tosses no-hitter

Ipswich's junior ace Kerry Desmond might tell you she didn't have her best stuff since she issues five walks in a 9-0 win over Manchester Essex. But that would be mostly modesty talking.

Desmond tossed the first no-hitter of her career, fanning 11 Hornets en route to the historic ending.

Desmond tosses no-no in rout

Ipswich's junior ace Kerry Desmond might tell you she didn't have her best stuff since she issues five walks in a 9-0 win over Manchester Essex. But that would be mostly modesty talking.

Desmond tossed the first no-hitter of her illustrious career, fanning 11 Hornets en route to the historic ending.

Osborne leads the Hornets on and off the field

The team always comes first for Manchester Essex senior lacrosse standout Molly Osborne. Nothing can illustrate that fact more than what happened to her last week.

Representing Manchester Essex High School, Osborne was nominated for the Salem News Student Athlete Award. Each nominee from the 14 local high schools had to be interviewed last Thursday before the dinner and ceremony that night at the Hawthorne Hotel in Salem. The problem for Osborne was that the interviews were occurring at the same time as her team's season opener against Masconomet.

Manchester Essex Girls Lacrosse Preview

Last year's record: 9-5 (lost to Pentucket in Division 1 North first round)

Coach: Sarah Holch (second year)

Key returnees: Molly Osborne, Sr. attack; Anneliese Brosch, Sr. attack; Sarah Merullo, Sr. defender; Simone Bodmer-Turner, Jr. midfield; Alex Curatolo, Sr. defender; Jen Bishop, Jr. defender; Annie Osborne, Jr. attack; Haley Irwin, Sr. attack

Manchester Essex Boys Lacrosse Preview

Last year's record: 2-9   

Coach: Aaron Paskalis (third year)

Key returnees: Will Doucette, Sr. attack; Steve Driscoll, Sr. attack; Cam Doane, Sr. midfield; Tim Corssetti, Sr. defense

Powered by offensive explosion, Rockport starts season with win

The Rockport baseball team came into yesterday's regular season opener against Manchester Essex looking to sure-up their offense. The Vikings had a tough time hitting in the preseason and were looking for a big game to get their confidence back.

Manchester Essex Baseball Preview

Last year's record: 1-19

Coach: Frank Morrissey (First year)

Key returnees: Scott Forsythe, Sr., RF/P; Greg Polley, Sr., LF; Ian Graham, Sr. SS/P; Pat Hofman, So., 3B; Zeke Gillette, Jr., 2B/P; Phil Gordon, Jr., 1B; Sean Golden, Jr., OF; Ryan Brewster, So., CF; Ben Kekeisen, So., C.

Hornets fall after late goal by Generals

After the full 50 minutes had passed, the scoreboard read Hamilton-Wenham 8, Manchester Essex 7 but for the Hornets (0-2) there were many positive signs to take out of this tight contest against one of its main Cape Ann League foes.

Manchester-Essex Softball Preview

Coach: Michael Mullarkey (third season)

Last year's record: 7-11

Key players: Lindsey Cambridge, Sr, P; Breezy DiPietro, Jr., SS/CF; Alex Zager, Sr., 3B.

Hornets overmatched by Masco

The Manchester Essex girls lacrosse team was overmatched yesterday against Division 1 Masconomet, but the Hornets will be better off for it.

At least that's what head coach Sarah Holch believes after seeing her Hornets, a Division 2 state tournament team last year, fall to Masco, 22-6, in the season opener for both teams. Due to a scheduling change in the Cape Ann League, Manchester Essex saw Masconomet for the first time ever.

Manchester Essex starts season with victory

The Manchester Essex boys lacrosse team appears to be poised to build on last year's two-win campaign. At least if yesterday's contest against Pentucket is any barometer.

The Hornets rolled to a 9-4 victory over Pentucket in the season-opener for both schools. The offensive outburst was backed by a five-goal performance from senior attack Will Doucette and a three-goal performance from sophomore attack Jim Finn. Cam Doane added four assists.

Hornets made Cape Ann proud

There was no victory parade through Manchester on Tuesday evening.

But even without that display of affection, it's clear that the community greatly appreciates what their beloved Manchester Essex girls basketball team accomplished this winter.

North champs met their match against similar Skippers

The Division 4 state tournament had presented its share of challenges to the Manchester Essex girls basketball team. But none had been too difficult to overcome.

That was the case until yesterday, when a bit of irony ultimately doomed the North champion Hornets in the Division 4 state title game at Boston's TD Banknorth Garden against South champ Cohasset.

Dubois a determined leader for Manchester Essex

Tournament wins used to be foreign to Manchester Essex girls basketball coach Lauren Dubois.

Now, after just three years at the helm, the Beverly native knows the postseason as well as the information she presents in her history classes at Manchester Essex.

Hornets run out of magic in OT

Over the past few weeks, drama and the Manchester Essex girls basketball team have become synonymous. So it was fitting that yesterday's Division 4 state title game would be no different.

Regulation was not enough time to settle the score between the North champion Hornets and South champ Cohasset at Boston's TD Banknorth Garden.

Hornets face tall task against Cohasset

This is what the Manchester Essex girls basketball team has worked for all season.

There are no more meetings, no more practices. It all comes down to one game.

That would be today's Division 4 state championship, where the North champion Hornets (16-8) face off against South champion Cohasset (22-2) at Boston's TD Banknorth Garden (2:30 p.m.) for the Division 4 state title.

Hornets must keep eyes on the big prize

They got there.

Now it's all about making the most of their once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

They refers to the Manchester Essex girls basketball team and there refers to Boston's TD Banknorth Garden, which is where the Hornets will play Cohasset tomorrow (2:30 p.m.) for the Division 4 state title. Manchester Essex (16-8) punched its ticket to the home of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and the rest of the first-place Celtics with a dramatic 59-56 overtime victory over No. 3 Mt. Alvernia on Friday in the North final at Salem State College. Meanwhile, Cohasset (22-2) gained entry to the Garden by knocking off Millis, 42-30, in the South final.

Gritty Hornets make good on goal, headed to Garden

A goal was set at the beginning of the season by the Manchester Essex girls basketball team.

Albeit a lofty one, but as we learned last night at Salem State College's O'Keefe Center, a very doable one for these gritty Hornets.

Mt. Alvernia can't handle Manchester-Essex trio

Big players come to play in big games.

The saying may be a bit of a cliche, but for Manchester-Essex girls hoops players Danni Ciccone, Lizzy Ball and Elsa Keefe, it's indicative of their performance in the Hornets' 59-56 overtime win over Mt. Alvernia in the Division 4 North final.

Hornets are going to the Garden on Tuesday

What are you doing at 2:30 p.m. this Tuesday?

If you're the Manchester Essex girls basketball team, you're going to the TD Banknorth Garden to play in the Division 4 state championship game.

The No. 9 Hornets (16-8) advanced thanks to a heart-stopping 59-56 overtime win over No. 3 Mt. Alvernia (20-5) in front of a standing-room only crowd at Salem State's O'Keefe Center. They'll now meet the South winner | Millis/Cohasset | for the state title. Manchester Essex has won seven in a row and 10 of its last 11 games.

Manchester Essex student body showing support for girls hoopsters

It seems as though the Manchester Essex girls basketball team has an unofficial, unspoken deal worked out with their state tournament opponents and the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA).

Hornets win sparked by unusual suspects

In its first two victories in the Division 4 North girls basketball state tournament, Manchester Essex relied heavily on the rebounding and post presence of center Dani Ciccone, who had been gobbling up every rebound within a 10-foot radius of her.

Hornets roll over Panthers and into North Final

At just the right time, the Manchester Essex girls basketball team is playing its best basketball of the season.

After a 69-46 win over Fenway (16-6) at Malden High School in the Division 4 North semifinals last night, the Hornets (15-8) advanced to face No. 3 Mt. Alvernia (17-2) in the North Final at Salem State on Friday (6 p.m.).

Hornets look to avoid letdown in semifinal matchup with Panthers

Going forward, perhaps the biggest obstacle for the Manchester Essex girls basketball team is preventing a let-down after their emotional win on Saturday over top-seeded New Mission, the defending Division 4 state champions.

Manchester Essex knocks off defending state champions

It's official, there will be a new state champion in Division 4 girls basketball this season.

No. 9 seed Manchester Essex (14-8) made sure of that as they went to New Mission (19-3) -- the No. 1 seed and defending state champion -- and knocked off the Titans, 68-61, in a Saturday quarterfinal game before a lively, pro-Hornets crowd at the Tobin Community Center.

Rematch could have title implications for Hornets, Titans

Rarely does a quarterfinal round game in the state basketball tournament have legit championship implications. But it would be fair to consider tomorrow's Division 4 North girls basketball quarterfinal between ninth-seeded Manchester Essex and No. 1 New Mission one of those rare exceptions. At least based on what happened last year.

Ciccone's double-double propels Hornet to win

It's an age-old question in basketball, which is more effective: Size or outside shooting?

There may not be a definitive answer. But if a team has both, it's usually a recipe for success and last night the Manchester Essex girls had both of those ingredients.

Nally sets career-high on senior night

Senior night is always special for any athlete. Manchester Essex boys basketball star Marty Nally made sure his would be especially unique as he pumped in a career-high 41 points. It was an incredible individual performance that people will remember forever as his Hornets held off visiting Rockport 71-57 in both team's season-finale.

Hornets head into postseason on win streak with win over Rockport

The Manchester Essex girls basketball team will be heading into the state tournament on a very positive note.

In their final regular season game against rival Rockport last night, the Hornets rolled to a 53-35 victory and picked up their third straight victory. The win was also the team's sixth in their last seven games. At 12-8, Manchester Essex feels good about its position as it waits for its tourney seeding.

Hornets celebrate senior night in style by beating Georgetown

With just one game remaining in the regular season, the Manchester Essex girls basketball team is playing its best when it really matters.

The Hornets are trying to get the highest possible seed in the Division 4 North tournament which will begin in two weeks. After losing on the road to Georgetown, 56-35, in its season-opener, the Hornets exacted revenge on the Royals by taking a 60-47 win on senior night in Manchester. Centers Allison Hogan and Dani Ciccone are the only Hornet seniors and they were honored before the game.

Hornets clinch tourney berth

The Manchester Essex girls basketball team punched their ticket to the state tournament last night.

It was not their best offensive night, but the defensive-minded Hornets defeated Essex Aggie 39-15 to improve to 10-8 on the season. Manchester Essex held Essex Aggie to just five points in the second half to make up for its own offensive struggles.

Hornets score impressive win without injured head coach

Back on Dec. 11, in its first game of the season, the Manchester Essex boys basketball team lost at non-conference foe Pope John, 79-63.

As if the revenge factor wasn't enough going into the rematch, the Hornets (6-12) were playing with their head coach on their minds since Bill Cahill couldn't make the game due to a concussion suffered on duty as a Gloucester policeman earlier in the day.

Healthy Hornets regain winning ways with win over Triton

The Manchester Essex boys basketball team found out that things could've been different this year, if the Hornets just could've stayed healthy.

Back at full strength for the first time in six games, Manchester Essex routed Triton, 73-55. The win boosted the Hornets record to just 5-12, but nevertheless head coach Bill Cahill is happy to have his whole team back.

Hornets knock off North Andover for third straight win

The Manchester Essex girls basketball team seems to be hitting its stride as the state tournament looms near.

The Hornets captured their third straight victory last night with a 48-37 decision over North Andover. Manchester Essex boosted its record to 9-7 with the win, while North Andover slipped to 8-7 in the ultra-competitive Cape Ann League.

Hornets do the little things to pick up road win

The Manchester Essex girls basketball team used strong team defense, rebounding, free throw shooting and balanced scoring | four key ingredients come tournament time | to pick up a 41-35 win at Lynnfield.

Masco beats Manchester Essex

Clay Cleveland had a career night, dropping in 27 points to go along with 18 rebounds and six steals as Masco (8-2) won its eighth straight.

"He was absolutely huge," Masco coach Ben Hodges said of Cleveland. "We like to pound it in with a lot of high-low and even out on the fastbreak he found himself open. He was all over the court. He could really do no wrong. He was a beast, and he only played three quarters."

Injuries starting to bug the Hornets

Just one month ago, Manchester Essex boys basketball coach Bill Cahill believed that his team had the potential to win the division in the Cape Ann League, bettering the likes of North Reading, Georgetown and Lynnfield.

Strong first half helps Manchester Essex win over Lynnfield

After playing its best half of the season (jumping out to a 25-12 lead), the Manchester Essex girls basketball team survived a scoreless third quarter and took a 35-27 win over Cape Ann League foe Lynnfield.

Hornets thrive on free throw line in win over Pentucket

Playing without senior point guard and co-captain James Settipane, the Manchester Essex boys basketball team used a stellar team effort to take care of visiting Pentucket. The key for the Hornets (4-5) was the free throw line as they made 20 free throws in the game as a team.

Manchester Essex girls sitting pretty

The same can be said for the Manchester Essex girls, who carry a 4-4 record and are just a couple wins shy of qualifying for the Division 4 tourney.

Last year, all it took was a 6-14 record to gain entry to the postseason, and the Hornets appear to be way ahead of schedule with a balanced scoring attack that is led by Dani Ciccone's 8.3 ppg. Once the Hornets get to the playoffs, anything is possible, as proven by last year's trip to the North finals. Finally, the Gloucester girls have rebounded nicely from last year's four-win campaign and look poised to get back to the postseason.

Manchester Essex likes their playoff chances

With a 3-5 record, the Manchester Essex boys basketball team doesn't appear to be setting the world on fire. However, the Hornets have to like their position right now.

"Our schedule has a lot of winnable games in the second half of the season," said Hornets head coach Bill Cahill after Tuesday night's 81-66 loss to Ipswich.

Indians avenge loss to Manchester Essex

Amesbury (3-4) avenged its lopsided loss to Manchester Essex (3-4) in last week's Gloucester Tournament. Billy Medvich led the Indians with 19 points. David Smith added 18. Jay Wheeler had 14. Steve Serwon scored eight.

Ball explodes for 20 points as Hornets defeat Indians

Manchester Essex girls basketball player Lizzie Ball was in the zone last night and her team needed all of her career-high 20 points as the Hornets (4-3, 1-1) held off visiting Amesbury (2-4, 1-1) in a Cape Ann League game.

Defense leads Manchester Essex to win

After one quarter last night, the Manchester Essex girls basketball team found itself down 9-4 at Northeast Regional. Despite that slow start, the Hornets responded to post a dominating 47-19 win in Wakefield over the Knights.

Impressive fourth quarter leads Hornets to championship

For three quarters, nothing seemed to go right for the Manchester Essex boys basketball team on Saturday at the Gloucester Holiday Tournament championship game.

Gloucester led 34-27 at the half after senior guard Brian Levie (game-high 19 points, four rebounds, three assists, three steals) hit a 3-pointer from beyond the half-court line. The Fishermen (1-5) lead increased to as much as 14 before the Hornets (3-3) offense clicked in in final quarter to take a hard-fought 69-64 win.

Manchester Essex hoops takes two

The Hornets (3-2) used a 20-0 run at the start of the game to cruise to the win in the opening round of the Gloucester Holiday Tournament. Manchester Essex freshman guard Joe Mussachia led the way with 18 points (including 16 in the second half) while senior guards and captains Marty Nally (18 points) and Marty Nally (15 points) were other standouts in the win.

Fishermen, Hornets looking to gain '08 momentum this weekend

After an 0-4 start to the season, the Gloucester High School boys basketball team is hoping to break through with a win before the calendar turns to 2008.

Conventional wisdom would tell you that this weekend is as good of a time as any for the Fishermen to grab that elusive first victory and enter the new year with some momentum as they gear up for the meat and potatoes of the hoops season.

Hornets can't overcome Newburyport free-throw advantage

The Manchester Essex boys basketball team can look to one reason why it wasn't able to knock off unbeaten Newburyport last night.

The free throw line.

The Clippers went to the charity stripe 22 times in the fourth quarter and 29 times in the game en route to defeating the Hornets 74-65. Newburyport (4-0) converted 21 of 29 free throw attempts, while Manchester Essex scored just 11 points at the line.

Hornets' freshman Mussachia contributing right away

As an eighth-grader last winter, Manchester Essex freshman Joe Mussachia had one thing in mind for the next step in his basketball career.

"He (Mussachia) approached me last year and said 'coach what do I have to do to make varsity next year,'" recalled Manchester Essex head basketball coach Bill Cahill. "Not many eighth-graders approach me and ask that question." Of course there is a simple explanation as to why most eighth-graders don't pose that question to high school varsity coaches. That reason would be most players aren't close to being ready for varsity in their first year of high school.

Nally, Settipane lead Hornets past Vikings

According to Manchester Essex boys basketball head coach Bill Cahill, the recipe for Hornets success is simple.

"Marty Nally and James Settipane are both three-year varsity starters," said Cahill after last night's game at rival Rockport. "If they play well, we'll play well."

Hornets fall to hot-shooting Pope John

Playing against a Pope John team that has added three players from the Division 4 state runner-up Savio Prep (which closed last spring), Manchester Essex couldn't match the hot shooting of its hosts, falling 79-63.

Manchester-Essex Boys Basketball Preview

Last year's record: 9-11

Coach: Bill Cahill (8th season)

Key returnees: James Settipane, Sr., guard; Marty Nally, Sr., guard; Andrew Willwerth, Sr., forward; Brian Ciccone, So., center; Sam Cohen, Sr., forward; Ian Graham, Sr., forward; Joe Roy, Sr., guard; Kyle Donovan, Jr., guard.

Hornets look to build off last season's deep tournament run

Playing in the rough and tumble Cape Ann League, the Manchester Essex girls basketball team is almost always facing bigger schools and highly-skilled opponents on a nightly basis.

The Hornets tangible reward for competing in such a brutal conference comes if they can qualify for the Division 4 North tournament. Once there, Manchester Essex realizes it can compete with any team on that level thanks to all the obstacles it faced on the way.

Manchester-Essex Girls Basketball Preview

Last year's record: 9-15 (lost to New Mission, 68-62, in Division 4 North final)

Coach: Lauren Dubois

Key returnees: Danni Ciccone (Capt.), Sr., center; Lee Stroman, Jr., guard

Brighton puts halt to Hornets' season, 28-7

Manchester Essex came into yesterday's Division 4 semifinal against Brighton with two objectives defensively: One, was to contain Bengals quarterback Kameel Lashley. Two, was to make plays on the rest of the backs when needed.

Manchester Essex faces tall task in unbeaten Brighton

The Manchester Essex Hornets and the Brighton Bengals have had a similar road to the Division 4 football playoffs.

Both teams thwarted off a tough non-league opponent in Pope John, with the Hornets winning 27-26 and the Bengals winning 60-58 in triple-overtime. Both teams also clinched a playoff spot in their last regular season game, with the Hornets defeating Georgetown 27-7 and the Bengals defeating Dorchester 30-6.

Hornets clinch playoff berth with Thanksgiving victory

GEORGETOWN | Big Players make big plays in big games. That has been the slogan all season long for the Manchester Essex football team.

After yesterday's 27-7 Commonwealth Conference small championship-clinching victory over Georgetown, the entire Hornets team could be seen as big players for making a number of big plays in the biggest game of the season.

Orlando, Esposito looking for edge in growing rivalry

Over the last few years, football fans have watched Tom Brady and Peyton Manning dominate the National Football League with their rivalry and individual performances.

This season the Commonwealth Athletic Conference Small has their own version of Brady vs. Manning in Manchester Essex's Pat Orlando and Georgetown's Joe Esposito.

Georgetown, Manchester draw plenty of attention

This small-school rivalry is one of the games of the day in Eastern Mass.

The only question now is will there be room around Georgetown High for the glut of television truck and crews in town. Manchester-Essex (8-2) and Georgetown (8-1) collide for the 48th time, the 17th meeting on Thanksgiving, and no meeting has been bigger.

Hornets making most of extra practice week before Thanksgiving showdown

It all comes down to one game.

After 10 weeks of the high school football season, the Commonwealth Athletic Conference Small title has come down to a Thanksgiving day matchup between Manchester Essex (8-2, 3-1 CAC) and Georgetown (8-1, 4-0 CAC). The winner of this rivalry will move on to the Division 4 playoffs to face the Boston City League South champion Brighton. The loser will see their season come to an end.

Thanksgiving Day Preview: Manchester Essex at Georgetown

Where: Georgetown High

Date: Thursday, Nov. 22

Time: 10 a.m.

Coaches: Mike Athanas, Manchester Essex; Matt Bouchard, Georgetown.

Captains: Manchester Essex: Phil Gillette, Sr. C/LB; Scott Forsythe, Sr. TE/DE, Sam Cohen, Sr. WR/DB; Pat Orlando, Jr. QB/DB; Georgetown: Brandon Wade, Sr. RB/S, Jeff Rollins, Sr. OG/DT, Joe Esposito, Jr. QB/DB;