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Controlling the ball for over 15 of the second half's 22 minutes, Pentucket shut down a depleted Triton squad and took home a season-closing 27-6 victory.

D.J. Engelke returned from a shoulder injury to rush for 96 yards and two touchdowns before suffering an elbow injury. Jeff Porter (84 yards, TD) and Andrew Noyes (76 yards, TD) also drove the Sachem offense. 

WEST NEWBURY — Each time Bedford threw what seemed to be a knockout punch, Pentucket fought back.

Bedford twice drove inside the Pentucket 15-yard-line in the fourth quarter, and twice the Sachems turned the Buccaneers away without points to force the game into overtime.

WEST NEWBURY — After watching Pentucket fullback Andrew Noyes busted through the line for yet another first down, an exasperated Watertown defender looked at his teammates with confusion.

WEST NEWBURY — D.J. Engelke had one regret yesterday, being caught from behind on a 70-yard run that looked to be a sure-fire touchdown.

“I think I got a little ahead of myself there,” said the halfback with a laugh. “I saw two defenders, and I think my mind was going a little faster than my legs and I ended up tripping over my feet.”

WEST NEWBURY — Its been the story all season for Pentucket football, and yesterday was no different.

It’s never easy, but when it matters most, the Sachems deliver.

Pentucket fell behind by 10 points early, but surged back behind a gritty offense and resilient defense to finish off Saugus 27-10 to remain undefeated and clinch the Cape Ann League Division 1 title.

TOPSFIELD- The Pentucket football team marched into Bunker Stadium last night and made the big plays when it mattered most, defeating Masconomet 21-14.
The Chieftains took their first possession 73 yards capped off by a five-yard touchdown run by Mackenzie Cashin but the Sachems were able to buckle down defensively.
“They marched right down the field their first possession . It was chunk after chunk after chunk. But the kids hung in and made plays,” said Pentucket (4-0) head coach Steve Hayden. “It’s the third week in a row we’ve had a nail-biter. When we win, we all win.”
 The Sachems literally took the game from the Chieftains (3-2) behind big plays from Liam Corkery, who grabbed two interceptions and hauled in 113 receiving yards. His second pick of the game came in the final minute on a pass that Masco receiver Corey Tines appeared to grab but Corkery ripped the ball away from him as the two tumbled to the ground.
Corkery also had some impressive catches-none more so than his lone second-half catch where he spun towards his back-shoulder and made a one-handed grab for a 29-yard gain. He and Sachems’ signal caller Ryan Kuchar (7 for 11 for 160 yards and a touchdown) had a strong connection throughout the game.
Kuchar tied the game at 7-7 on a one-yard sneak in the second quarter and then put Pentucket ahead 14-7 with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jeff Porter. Porter added the game-winning score on a four yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
“Give Pentucket credit. Kuchar and Corkery had great games,” said Masco head coach Jim Pugh. “No excuses, we got out-played and we got out-hit. They made the plays that we didn’t. Now there in good position to win the league.”
Masco tied the game with just seconds left in the first half on a 1-yard sneak by Troy Bunker. The Chieftains went 67 yards on eight plays in less than a minute and a half.
Masco looked to keep rolling in the second half when Mike Tivinis (11 carries for 154 yards) broke a 53-yard run on his first touch of the third quarter. However Masco’s star back was injured on the play and didn’t return. From that point on, Masco failed to sustain any real offense.
The Sachems meanwhile leaned on the hard running of Andrew Noyes, who churned out 111 yards on 20 carries. Porter added 42-yards on the ground and 47-receiving yards.

NEWBURYPORT — A Pentucket football game is not for the faint of heart.

WEST NEWBURY — Asked to describe the final moments yesterday, Pentucket linebacker Josh Wesolowski responded with one word.

“Terrifying,” he said.

With the Sachems leading by six points with 1:18 to go, Triton marched 80 yards to the Pentucket 11-yard line with 12 seconds to go.