By Evan Mugford
BYFIELD — On opposite sides of the Cape Ann League, the Clippers of Newburyport and the Vikings of Triton are poised for an electric game tonight in Byfield.
Behind the arm of surging junior quarterback Ryan O'Connor, who has thrown five touchdowns in the past three games, the Clippers (4-4, 3-1 CAL Small) are an aerial threat.
Trudging through and over teams, the Vikings (5-3, 0-2 CAL Large) and their explosive senior running back Brendan O'Neil move the chains with systematic resolve.
However, as the season has pushed onward, the heavy bulk of the CAL elite has forced the emergence of other Triton and Newburyport players. And with rivalry week upon us, the timing couldn't have been more perfect.
While O'Connor has steadily risen as a quarterback, consequently making athletic junior Matt Mottola another long-ball menace, the same can be said for Triton's sophomore quarterback, Blaise Whitman.
"It's tough for a sophomore or underclassmen, especially at the quarterback position," said Triton coach Jim O'Leary, "but while he's taking his lumps, the season has gone on, and he's improved. He's become a leader out there and that's the important thing.
"As a young guy, it's hard to be a leader when there are juniors and seniors in the huddle, but as the season has continued, he's become more vocal, and these last few games I think he's really going to show his true colors."
Triton rolled through their first five games of the season thanks in large part to O'Neil — who is averaging 16 attempts and 124 yards per game with a season total of 18 touchdowns (7.5 yards per carry) — the last three games for the Vikings have been defeats at the paws of the CAL's alpha dogs (Lynnfield, Masconomet, North Andover). But in spite of the losses, valuable experience for Whitman has been the silver lining.
Whereas Whitman only threw 23 passes (3 TDs) in his first five games, he has thrown 58 (2 TDs) in his last three — connecting on nearly 50 percent of his passes.
"I think when we were down against Masco and we really started passing a lot, that's when things became a bit more comfortable," said the 15-year-old Whitman. "I knew I was going to get hit on most of the plays, but I just felt that much more comfortable waiting for the plays to open up.
"I have been getting much more confident as the season has been going by," said Whitman. "Getting more playing time and just getting used to playing with my teammates has been the main difference."
It can be stated that O'Connor has also risen to the occasion since he replaced Mottola at quarterback, playing in five games and connecting on 57 percent of his passes with six scores and nearly 95 passing yards a game. But beyond the throwing game — something he also does so well as Newburyport's baseball ace — a hard-running back in senior Josh Williams has given Newburyport coach Ed Gaudiano another bruising rusher alongside seniors Kyle LeBlanc and Derek Freeman.
"With the type of game we play, being as dependable as he is hard," said Gaudiano, "he'll get his carries in against Triton, and if he's on then he'll get even more, but beyond how hard he runs, he's right back out there on defense. He really never leaves the field.
"Josh has been a solid back and inside linebacker for us all year, and we ask a lot of him. He has his work cut out for him every game."
A tireless runner and athlete, Williams, a three-year starter, has been a Newburyport workhorse, surging through defensive lines with an unstoppable running style. While not producing as many dynamic plays as Triton's O'Neil, it should be noted that Williams had 67 rushing attempts compared to O'Neil's monstrous 132.
Averaging nearly 5.5 yards per carry and 42 yards per game, Williams has been working hard for the Clippers and cites a preseason visit by Marine Special Operations as a sound reminder of what his body can endure.
"They came to the school in August and just killed us," remembered Williams. "For four quarters, we were carrying telephone poles, doing push-ups, jumping jacks, flutter kicks, running around with sandbags — whenever I get tired that day comes to mind.
"But just looking at my teammates is another reminder. I look at them and a simple 'Let's go' will pick me up again."
With Newburyport marching in tonight, O'Leary said that beyond a rivalry, his players have a particular goal in mind.
"We have seven games at home this year, and we haven't lost there yet," said O'Leary. "That was one of our goals this year, to protect our home field, and hopefully we can fulfill that.
"Newburyport plays tough, physical football, so I want our guys to show up and play the old Triton football that we've been used to playing for the last year and a half — play physical, play tough, play with some confidence," said O'Leary. "Our captains and our older guys need to step up a little bit and I'm looking for Mike Foley to have a big game this week and for Brendan to get back on track."
With 46 and 75 rushing yards in his past two efforts, O'Neil, who is also a stalwart at defensive end, said that he feels fine and explained that the absence of key offensive linemen in junior Andrew McManus (elbow) and senior Adam Ouellet (flu) left a mighty void.
After a week of practice that O'Neil described as "the toughest he's ever been through," the co-captain is set for battle.
"This is a border war," said O'Neil. "It will come down to intensity and who wants it more. We plan on playing as hard as we can on every play."
Gaudiano and his team of Clippers are looking at the Triton match akin to how they will look at Amesbury come Nov. 26 — as a Bowl game.
"It's a great local rivalry that all of the kids and the crowd feed off," said Gaudiano. "It will be your typical hard-hitting affair. We know they have the horses, so we're looking to come into this game and show them what we're made of.
"We're as healthy as we've been all year, and this game just can't be overshadowed by records or standings. We have such huge rivalries and I'm looking for the seniors to step up and take charge. This is a senior game."
Mirroring his coach's words, LeBlanc is primed for the Friday night lights.
"It's about as big as games get. It's just as big as Thanksgiving," said LeBlanc. "We've circled this on our schedule, and especially after last week, we're looking to go into these as Bowl games and show our intensity."
