RallyNorth.net

Of all the game plans North Reading head coach Jeff Wall mapped out, it's doubtful many included the Hornets having an early 14-point lead.

Faulty special teams play by Pentucket led to a quick 14-0 deficit. But as the Cape Ann League Large Sachems gradually pulled themselves together, the CAL Small Hornets came apart under a barrage of 42 consecutive points, eventually dropping a 49-21 decision in a matchup of 4-1 teams.

A quick defensive lapse, followed by a third-and-three hook-and-ladder pass gone berserk had Lawrence trailing 13-0 and on the back pedal. Pentucket pounder Nate Bunnell took care of the rest, rolling up 225 yards and five touchdowns on just 20 carries to power the Sachems past the sinking Lancers, 41-12. "Once we got the lead, that was big," said Bunnell, who now has 16 TDs on the year. "After that, I guess I was seeing things pretty well. There was a lot of room to run out there, and I hit the right holes at the right times." Pentucket stuck to its basic plan, running out of the wing-T set with Bunnell battering the Lancers, who simply wore out.

WEST NEWBURY | Justin Bolla wanted one shot at redemption and his teammates had enough confidence to give it to him.

"I came back to the huddle and said 'sorry guys, my bad,' but I kept my head up and stayed focus," said Bolla moments after he dropped a certain game-winning, six-yard TD pass with five seconds remaining.

AMESBURY | It was a great night for high school football fans | and an even better night for Nate Bunnell.

The Pentucket senior fullback scored five times and came up with a huge sack in the final minute as the Sachems outlasted Amesbury, 35-28, in a terrific river rival shootout at Amesbury's Landry Stadium.

From the Pentucket region, that same Pentucket region that produced John Cena, professional wrestling's "Doctor of Thug-onomics," Eagle-Tribune Football Friday brings you "Nate-Dogg," and his band of Sachem football "Regulators." Unlike Cena, Nate Bunnell doesn't profess to be from "the mean streets of Merrimac."

IPSWICH | Ted Flaherty spoke nothing but facts last night.

Quotes such as "sophomores struggle to tackle seniors" and "they were better in all facets of the game" came out of the Ipswich football coach's mouth in the aftermath of his team's 48-6 loss to Pentucket last night at Ipswich High School.

IPSWICH | One carry into last night's game, Nate Bunnell knew it was going to be a good night for himself and his Pentucket football teammates.

His first carry | a fullback trap on the game's third play | resulted in a 51-yard touchdown and set the tone for the entire night. Bunnell finished with a career-high four touchdowns, rushing for 138 yards on just five carries as the visiting Sachems cruised to their first victory of the season by crushing host Ipswich, 48-6.

WEST NEWBURY | At halftime, there were more than a few puzzled expressions among the 300 fans at Pentucket on a sweltering opening day Saturday afternoon.

At the house where defensive dominance and ball-control offense are revered, there was a bona fide shootout going on between the Sachems and Hamilton-Wenham.

The Pentucket football team's 2006 season never seemed to get off the ground between an opening day loss to Hamilton-Wenham and a Thanksgiving Day loss to Triton.

Credit that to an unhealthy dose of confidence coming off a 10-1 2005 season, says returning fullback Nate Bunnell. "Kids were a little cocky last season," Bunnell said. "Now we're stepping back in line."

2006 record: 4-7

Returning starters (10): Mike Sloban, Sr., OL/DE, 5-11, 185; Matt Fiore, Jr., OL/DL, 6-1, 220; Steve Jenkins, Sr., OL/LB, 5-9, 165; Justin Bolla, Sr., TE/DE, 6-0, 185; Liam Crawford, Sr., SE/QB/DB, 6-1, 160; Nate Bunnell, Sr., RB/DE, 6-2, 190; Steve Hayden, Sr., OL/DE, 5-10, 165; Jordan Silva, Jr., QB/DB, 5-9, 145; Dave Spalding, Sr., RB/DL, 5-6, 185; Brian Pigott, Sr., OL/DL, 5-9, 170