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Sachems' defense, special teams foil Triton

Thursday, November, 22 By Dave Dyer
Staff writer

BYFIELD | Pentucket foiled Triton's game plan yesterday morning and proved once and for all that the Sachems are far more than the Nate Bunnell Show.

Yes, Bunnell scored three touchdowns in Pentucket's decisive 28-0 victory before a Thanksgiving crowd of more than 1,000 to cap a fine 8-3 season for the Sachems, but at least Triton (1-10) succeeded in slowing down the senior running back.

Triton's defense, keying on Bunnell all game, held the powerful back to a mere 38 yards on 12 carries. After his first carry of 10 yards, he couldn't crack five yards the rest of the game.

"It seemed like they practiced just to stop me," said Bunnell. "But it shows that we have other running backs who can do the job. We've known that all year."

Indeed, senior Bobby Karlberg displayed some shifty moves while gaining 62 yards in six carries, Chris Modish gained 34 yards on nine carries and scored a touchdown and quarterback Jordan Silva showed good mobility while gaining 24 yards on six carries.

Yet, it was turnovers forced by Pentucket's defense, and special teams play, that really stood out on this drizzly and foggy morning, helping account for all four touchdowns. Pentucket's first touchdown came midway through the first quarter following its second of four interceptions, this one on a pick by Ryan Durkin, who returned it to Triton's 16-yard-line. A Silva keeper and runs of five and three yards by Bunnell quickly | after a blocked extra-point try | made it 6-0.

Only four plays later, Pentucket junior Matt Scott fired through the line to block a Devin Culverwell punt. Bunnell picked up the loose ball and rambled 31 yards into the end zone, making it | after a Silva pass to Modish for two points | 14-0 with 4:28 still remaining in the first quarter.

Late in the second quarter, a nifty 18-yard punt return by freshman C.J. Lataille gave the Sachems the ball on Triton's 32. Eight methodical plays later, Jordan found Bunnell in the end zone for an 8-yard scoring strike, making it 21-0 at halftime.

The way the Pentucket defense was playing, that all but wrapped it up for the Sachems, who dropped a 26-20 heartbreaker in overtime last year after having won seven straight in the 33-game series.

The Sachems added a final score in the third quarter after yet another blocked punt, this time by junior Matt Fiore. Taking over on Triton's 34, Pentucket needed seven plays to hit paydirt one last time, with Modish scoring on a six-yard run. Bunnell contributed just one yard rushing on the series.

"When they key on Nate, we can step it up," said Modish. "It just feels good to win this game."

Defensively, the Vikings only had two first downs through three quarters and they had virtually no success all game through the air, failing to complete a pass in seven attempts and throwing the four interceptions. Joining Durkin with picks were Silva, Dan Dragon and Justin Bolla. Fiore, Brian Pigott and Scott were solid in the defensive middle for the Sachems with Bunnell and Dan Johanson covering the flanks.

"The seniors have been a good group and they stepped up today," said Pentucket coach Steve Hayden, who got drenched with a bucket of water as the closing seconds ticked off. "The Triton kids came to battle. but I think they were a little overmatched."

Playing primarily with underclassmen, Triton did play better in the second half, giving plenty of hope for next year. Junior Bill Tindle rushed for 44 yards after halftime and had 58 yards overall and defenders Derek Clark and George Pinchot on the line and backers Bryan Walsh and Joe Gamache were all stellar. Of that group, only Clark is a senior. Overall, Triton held Pentucket to 176 yards on the ground, which is well below its season average. But it wasn't enough as the Sachems increased their lead in the series to 19-13-1.

Teams of the future?

Most of Triton's key players yesterday, including its entire starting backfield, were underclassmen, but Pentucket should be a team to be reckoned with in the future as well.

In addition to the return of quarterback Jordan Silva, running back Chris Modish and some fine linemen like junior Matt Fiore and sophomore Jordan Pinzone, Pentucket boasts a freshman team that lost just one game and an undefeated JV team.

"We lose a lot of seniors but we do have some good core kids coming back," said Pentucket coach Steve Hayden. "But let me enjoy this."