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Esposito, Georgetown set up title clash

Saturday, November, 08 By David Willis
Staff writer

GEORGETOWN — With the opportunity to play for a league title on the table, Georgetown would not be stopped.

Joe Esposito ran for two touchdowns and threw for two more in the first half alone as the Royals downed league rival North Reading 35-6 yesterday afternoon on their very muddy home field.

The victory set up next week’s clash between Georgetown (8-0, 5-0 CAL small) and undefeated Newburyport (4-5, 4-0 CAL small) with the Cape Ann League small title and a playoff berth on the line. The two teams play Friday at 7 p.m. at Newburyport.

“At the beginning of the year we had the dream to play for a league title,” said Royals senior Anthony Conte. “It is awesome to really have the chance to do it. We came in knowing we had a lot of talent, and now we are running on all cylinders.”

A victory next week would clinch the CAL small for the Royals, who moved up from the Commonwealth Conference before the season. A loss would mean Georgetown would have to wait for the result of the Thanksgiving game between the Clippers and Amesbury (8-1, 3-1 CAL small), who the Royals beat earlier in the year.

“From the start of the year this is what we wanted to do,” said Esposito. “We wanted to put ourselves in position to compete for No. 1, and that is what we did. We are ready for it, and I can’t wait for Friday.”

It was another big day for the prolific Esposito. A week after Hamilton-Wenham contained the run, the senior QB carried 10 times for 103 yards and touchdowns of 6 and 30 yards. Coming off a career week throwing the ball, he hit on 6 of 9 passes for 93 yards.

Esposito opening the scoring 4:06 into the game when he tossed a 9-yard score to Mike Ruh. Then, with 10 seconds left in the first half, he hit Dave Kenneally for a 3-yard touchdown to give Georgetown a 28-7 halftime lead.

Conte added their final score with an 11-yard run with 3:25 left in the third. Jaymie Spears, in his second game as a receiver, caught three passes for a game-high 54 yards. He also delivered the hit of the game, stepping up to knock North Reading’s John Brooks clear off his feet.

Chris Esposito led Georgetown with a team-high 11 tackles and Joe Esposito added five stops and caused a fumble that set up his TD pass to Kenneally. Matt Kumph and Michael Wooten each added four tackles and Spears and sophomore Luke Prescott each made an interception.

The highlight for the Hornets was the play of senior captain Darren Hartwell. Playing quarterback, he rushed 14 times for 61 yards and North Reading’s only score. He also hit on 6 of 8 passes, but for only 12 yards and made a team-high five tackles.