By David Willis
WEST NEWBURY — Thanks to its trademark grind-it-out running game, Pentucket was the aggressor for nearly 40 minutes.
But Masconomet had their home run hitters.
"Pentucket took it to us," said Chieftains head coach Jim Pugh. "But a few big plays made by (Evan) Bunker and (Chris) Splinter were the difference in the game."
The Sachems allowed Bunker to break loose on a 78-yard kickoff return for one score and caught a 60-yard pass for another, and Splinter added a back-breaking 56-yard TD run as Pentucket fell to Masconomet 37-20. Masconomet (7-2) clinched at least a share of the Cape Ann League large title with the victory.
"They have some weapons," said Sachems (5-4) tri-captain Dan Dragon. "We hung in there and fought with them, but we are very disappointed."
Pentucket controlled the line of scrimmage for much of the game, tallying 275 yards rushing on 44 carries. In his second career varsity start, Peter Koopman recorded his second straight 100-plus yard rushing game, going for 121 on 15 carries, including scores of 17 and 30. Fullback Nolan Dragon added 16 rushes for 93 yards and Austin Perreault rushed nine times for 59 yards.
On the opposite side, the Sachems allowed Masconomet just 121 yards rushing as a team, including limiting Bunker to only 30 yards on 12 carries. Also, after Splinter completed all six of his passes for 126 yards in the first quarter, he was 0 for 5 the rest of the way.
And this was while the Sachems were without three-year starting defensive back C.J. Lataille, who missed the game with an illness.
Dan Dragon who, at 145 pounds moved to offensive guard this week, led the Pentucket defense with nine tackles. Sophomore Jay Deschene, in his first varsity start, made six tackles and knocked down a pass, and Zack Eddy also made six stops.
But the Chieftains found other ways to gain yards. Going into a trick formation with Bunker at quarterback and Splinter at slot receiver, the running back connected with the QB on two passes — one for 10 yards and the other for 42 yards — to set up a 12-yard TD run for Bunker to make the score 30-14 just 34 seconds into the fourth quarter.
The Sachems responded with a 10-play, 73-yard drive that QB Mike Doud finished off with a 28-yard touchdown pass to receiver Mike Brennan.
Kicker Jeremy Krugh then executed a picture-perfect on-sides kick, but Pentucket was not able to corral the loose ball. Splinter then broke free for his 56-yard score, which clinched the victory.
"Our hats are off to Pentucket for the way they played," said Pugh. "They were able to move the ball on us, and we have to go back to the drawing board. They hit hard, but a win is a win."
