It's hard to believe the Newburyport football team, despite its early struggles, sits a game and a half ahead of Amesbury in the Cape Ann League Small standings. Two weeks ago, Newburyport sat at 0-5, having completed its non-league schedule with a 19-0 loss to Pentucket. The situation looked bleak.

Amesbury, on the other hand, opened with wins in its first four games for the first time since 1989. The Indians cruised through their nonleague schedule and appeared primed to repeat as CAL Small champs.

The Clippers have since beaten Lynnfield and Ipswich, giving the squad a 2-0 record in games that matter for playoff consideration. After starting 4-0, Amesbury lost to CAL Small favorite Georgetown, 15-14, and beat non-league foe Pentucket, 24-21. The Indians went 0-1 in the only game that mattered.

Georgetown may have the right idea in padding its non-league schedule with inferior opponents like Matignon, Marblehead and Murdock. Why not conserve the energy for the league games by treating the non-league games like exhibitions?

The complexion of the CAL could change in the next few weeks, and the Indians are certainly not out of the postseason picture. But this season's early returns give credence to the argument that non-league games are virtually meaningless.

Onto the picks.

Tonight's games

Georgetown at Ipswich, 7

Georgetown quarterback Joe Esposito's run for Daily News Player of the Year continues with a huge week against an Ipswich team that is 0-16 since winning a Super Bowl in 2006. Esposito has been stretching out his arm the last two weeks with four touchdown passes after throwing just one in the first three games.

The pick: Georgetown 34, Ipswich 0

Lynnfield at Amesbury, 7

Welcome back, Kevin Johnston. Look for a breakout game from the Indians senior tailback. He's been held in check the last two weeks in games against Georgetown and Pentucket, tallying a total of 16 carries for 34 yards and no touchdowns. That seemed unthinkable after he registered 53 carries for 432 yards and seven touchdowns in the first four games. He'll get back on track this week.

The pick: Amesbury 42, Lynnfield 12

Masconomet at Triton, 7

Supporting the point of nonleague games being pointless, Masco started 0-3 against St. John's Prep, Norton and Gloucester. Now the Chieftains (3-3) will be in the driver's seat for a CAL Large title if they beat Triton this week. I like the Vikings a lot, but they're still a year away from shocking Masco.

The pick: Masconomet 27, Triton 14

Tomorrow's games

Newburyport at Ham-Wenham, 2

I need to see Newburyport's offense explode one more week before I'm sold on the fact that all of the woes that plagued the team in its first five games are cured. Still, you have to tip your hat to a team that has scored 62 points and generated 439 passing yards over the last two weeks. It's a nice response to the team's 19-0 loss to Pentucket on Oct. 3 — the second time the Clippers were shutout in the first five weeks.

The pick: Ham-Wenham 19, N'port 14

Wilmington at Pentucket, 2

Both teams will attempt to rebound from difficult losses last week. Pentucket (4-2) lost to Amesbury, 24-21, in overtime last Saturday. Wilmington fell to Lawrence, 34-33, last Friday night. Which team will show the most resiliency in its run for a CAL Large title? I like Pentucket's chances.

The pick: Pent. 20, Wilmington 17

Milton Academy at The Govs, 7

This is a rare Independent School League night game as the Govs will host Milton at Triton Regional High. In turn, Triton's hockey team will get to use The Governor's Academy's new state-of-the-art hockey rink on occasion this winter. A couple of other newsworthy items: Salisbury's Max Caron had 240 yards rushing last week in the Govs' 26-17 victory over St. Marks. Former Amesbury coach Pat Flaherty is an assistant on the Milton staff.

The pick: Milton 29, Govs 6

Last week's record: 4-1

Overall record: 18-10