Dan Guttenplan
Picked Up Pieces
A few thoughts as I anxiously await the first Phillies World Series title since 1980 ... Before I get started, if anyone has any sports-related Halloween costumes, send me an e-mail, and I'll share them in my football picks column tomorrow.
There has been much football discussion on our Web site (www.newburyportnews.com) regarding the balance of power in the Cape Ann Small. I'm not complaining — that's what the comment section is for.
To me, though, there's not much room for argument. The standings show two teams — Georgetown and Newburyport — tied at the top with 3-0 CAL records. Three teams — Hamilton-Wenham (2-1), North Reading (1-1) and Amesbury (1-1) — have one loss. For the sake of the argument, let's eliminate Lynnfield (0-3) and Ipswich (0-4) from the title picture because the winner of the league will likely have no more than one league loss.
I can understand why the folks in Amesbury believe their football team is the best in the CAL Small. The Indians have certainly played the part of the defending champions with the exception of one half, when they allowed 15 unanswered second-half points in a 15-14 loss to Georgetown Oct. 11. I agree with the Amesbury sentiment that the team is as talented as any the school has offered since 1989. I agree that the Indians are capable of beating any team in the CAL Small on any given day.
But given the fact that Georgetown beat Amesbury — and there is no greater measure than head-to-head play — let's suspend any arguments regarding the best team in the CAL Small until someone knocks off the undefeated Royals. Yes, they've played an easier schedule than Amesbury, but that's not the players' fault. Georgetown's late switch to the CAL from the Commonwealth Conference last offseason didn't give the school's schedule-makers much time to establish annual rivalries with teams like Pentucket or Triton. Those teams' schedules may be set years in advance. The Royals are playing the hand they were dealt, and they're playing it well. They have to be considered the favorites until someone proves otherwise.
On to the field hockey field ... Congratulations to the Newburyport squad for notching its first state tournament victory since 2004. The 2004 squad, led by current collegiate field hockey stars Kaleigh Rowe, Meghan Ryan and Cally Cooke, captured a Division 2 North sectional title before falling in the state semifinal. Lauren Hefferan rightfully earned CAL Division 1 Coach of the Year after leading her squad to seven more regular-season victories than last season's team. Her daughter, Callie, also deservedly earned CAL All-League honors. One question for the CAL coaches who selected the All-League team: How could only one Newburyport player earn All-League honors considering the team was undefeated in its last 12 games? Since when does the best team in the second half of the season only get one All-League player? North Andover and Manchester Essex both had three players selected. Newburyport's Ashley Karelis was certainly deserving of consideration after leading the team in goals — seven of which counted for game-winning scores.
To the golf course ... Triton senior Andrew Fecteau saved his best golf for the Division 2 North Championship last week, when he shot a 71 at Far Corners to place second in the region. Fecteau completed his golf career at Triton on Monday, shooting an 82 in the Division 2 Championship at Gannon Golf Course. To give you an indication of the difficulty of that course, the winner shot a 75. Fecteau's impact on the Triton program was immense. He captained this year's team, which went 16-0 and won its second consecutive CAL title. During Fecteau's four years at Triton, the golf team posted a combined record of 58-9. Individually, he won the CAL Open last fall and was this season's team MVP.
For those who are worried about the Newburyport girls soccer team's early October "slump" — the team posted a 2-2-2 record from Sept. 30 to Oct. 16 — know that the team went through a similar slump last season en route to its Division 3 state title. In comparing seasons, last year's team completed the regular season with a 15-1-1 record. This year's team could finish 14-2-2 with a win at Bishop Fenwick tonight. Last year's team went 1-1-1 from Oct. 1 to Oct. 5 compared to this year's 2-2-2 record in early October. The bottom line is this year's Newburyport team was undefeated (12-0-1) against teams eligible to compete in the Division 3 tournament. The Clipper dynasty is not over yet.
On the cross country scene, Pentucket's Alanna Poretta probably has the best chance among local runners of capturing a sectional title at the Division 3 and 4 Championship meets next weekend. But the most significant accomplishment will likely come in the form of the Newburyport girls team qualifying for its 16th straight Mass. All-State competition. The Clippers will need a top-five finish in Division 4 to qualify. They finished second last year, and this year's team is deeper and faster in the front. Still, last year's champion, Hamilton-Wenham, is the favorite to repeat in Division 4.
Enjoy the state tournament action.
Dan Guttenplan is the sports editor of The Daily News. E-mail him at dguttenplan@newburyportnews.com.
