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ARLINGTON | Members of the Amesbury football team will be proud to wear their letterman jackets over the next nine months.

And that is, perhaps, the biggest sign of change for a historically stagnant program.

In Amesbury's first run to the playoffs, two very different, yet central figures have emerged as stars on both sides of the ball.

One, Jared Flannigan, is easily recognizable, playing the glorified position of quarterback and having lead his team to three straight wins. The other Nick Eaton | a 300-pound defensive lineman | impossible to miss because of his size and equally dominant ability to chew up opposing team's lineman.

One day after clinching its first Cape Ann League title in school history, the Amesbury football team learned its playoff fate.

The Indians (5-5) will face Commonwealth Athletic Conference Large champion Greater Lawrence on Tuesday afternoon (4 p.m.) at Arlington High.

To say that tomorrow afternoon's (4 p.m.) Eastern Mass. Division 3A semifinal is a clash of styles might be the great understatement of 2007.

Amesbury High's 17-point effort on Thanksgiving raised its season total to 199 points scored, good for a nine-point lead over Greater Lawrence Tech's Nate Adames alone.

NEWBURYPORT | The "What if..." debate surfaced for the first time yesterday with 6:45 remaining in the first quarter.

Newburyport's quarterback-for-a-game Ashlyn Calcagni fumbled in the pocket at the Amesbury 42, and Indians junior Steve Serwon scooped up the loose ball and ran 58 yards for his second defensive Turkey-Day touchdown in as many years.

Frank Serwon ventured to Landry Stadium last Thanksgiving for the 85th meeting between Newburyport and Amesbury | 52 years after he suited up for the final time as a Clipper.

A legendary nose guard on Newburyport teams that beat Amesbury his junior and senior seasons, Serwon had been to countless Thanksgiving games to see his sons, Stephen (Class of 1974) and Robert (Class of 1977), represent Newburyport.

Amesbury high school held their annual Color Day rally today. Each year before their Thanksgiving Day football game against Newburyport, they hold a rally that includes cheers, skits and competitions aimed at getting the students fired up for the game. This year's game, the 85th meeting between the schools, also decides the Cape Ann League Small champions.

Where: War Memorial Stadium, Newburyport

Date: Thursday, Nov. 22

Time: 10 a.m.

Coaches: Amesbury: Thom Connors; Newburyport: Ed Gaudiano

Captains: Amesbury: Sean Blaisdell, Sr. G/LB; Nicholas Eaton, Sr. T/T; Daniel Jones, Sr. FB/DE; John Lannon, Sr. SE/C; Newburyport: Chris Barry, Sr. TE/DE; Kevin Ryan, Sr. OL/DE; Chris Gogolos, Sr. OL/DL; Justin Burl, Sr. RB/LB; Richie Pace, Sr. OL/DL

AMESBURY | Amesbury did its part last night in setting the stage for a huge Thanksgiving Day tilt with Newburyport.

The Indians (4-5, 3-1) kept their Cape Ann League Small hopes alive with a 35-13 victory over Ipswich at Landry Stadium. If Newburyport (6-3, 3-0) beats Lynnfield today (11 a.m., Lynnfield High), the annual Thanksgiving Day game between Amesbury and Newburyport will have a league title at stake.

AMESBURY — At the start, North Reading's battle with Amesbury was football's version of a home run derby, with each team going deep to score points.

But as the game went along, the Indians stayed disciplined behind an unstoppable offense. The Hornets, on the other hand, clicked on a few big conversions but saw other crucial attempts fail.