2007 Reports

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Hamilton Wenham Generals - B Team Game Report
Game #7 vs. North Reading Hornets
Reported by Paul Durand

The North Reading Hornets were reportedly the team to beat. They showed up with an unbeaten record and a history of putting points on the board. The Hamilton-Wenham Generals were no slouches. Their reputation was similar but on the opposite side of the ball. They had a tough defense that didn’t give up many points and were hard hitting. Game jitters ruled the day and the North Reading kicker squibbed the opening kick. Not what you would expect from the league’s leaders, but it worked like an on-side kick and the Hornets recovered at the Generals’ 39 yard line for great field advantage. But when you’re a tough defense, it almost doesn’t matter and the coaching staff didn’t flinch. It was just one of those things. North Reading ran right at the Generals but the tough defense would hold their ground. The linemen collided and Tristan Smith filled the gap and met the runner head-on dropping him at the line of scrimmage for no gain. Again, the Hornets would try powering off the right tackle but this time James Burr stood the runner up and drove him to the ground, again for no gain. Seeking less resistance, the Hornets pitched back running to the left but now Peter Duval had stormed through and yanked the runner to the turf for a loss at the 45 yard line. It was fourth down and sixteen yards to go so the Hornets readied their defense and punted to the Generals. This time the kick sailed deep.

The Generals were looking tough. The fabled North Reading team was having a hard time moving against the silver helmeted group. The ball was fielded at the Hamilton-Wenham 24 yard line where the Generals’ Offense would go to work. And good work they did. Ian Dickey took some time finding the ball’s handle, but once he did, he was around the left corner for a gain of 6 yards to the 30. Dickey then took it off-tackle, running low and punching it for a first down. The Offensive Line was getting the job done. Then Christian Ecker found a hole and turned it up field to the 36 yard line with Brian Shaw following on the next play through a crease, off-tackle, to the 45 yard line and another first down! The Generals were moving the ball so they went back to the sequence of runs that was gaining ground. It was Dickey behind the Wedge, then Christian Ecker up the middle to the North Reading 49 yard line and Kyle Craig through the right tackle lane to the 47. Then it was Sammy Frick running it wide with Ecker delivering his traditional block at the corner sending Frick around to the 41 yard line and another first down. It wasn’t so hard. The G’s were doing what the G’s always do and it was working like it always worked. A lesser team might fold but the Hornets kept working on a scheme that might put a stop to the ground eating attack. Frick went around the left side but was wrapped up for a one yard gain then Ecker found a huge gap that sent him through traffic down to the 32 yard line, only to be pulled down from behind. Now Ian Dickey went up the middle and met resistance but powered his way to the 27 yard line for yet another first down. Continuing their march, it was Frick around the left to the 24 then Ecker had the right side collapse to trap him for no gain and then he went again with better success to the 20 yard line. It was a long march from their 24 yard line to the Hornets 20 but that’s where it would end. As the First Quarter ended, it was fourth down and 4 yards to go when Sammy Frick is ambushed outside, just getting back to the 20 yard line to turn over the ball to the Hornets. It was hard fought yards and the Generals were controlling the line of scrimmage and moving against a tough team.

The Hornets try to get their running game going but Matt Curran submarined the first runner for a 2 yard loss with Tristan Smith pressing him deeper into the turf. The Hornets, giving up on the ground assault, went to an air attack with Ian Dickey batting the ball from the intended receiver. It was back to running up the middle for the Hornets but Christian Ecker and Tristan Smith would handle everything coming at them and Ian Dickey pounced in for the finish. The mighty North Reading team couldn’t move the ball and on fourth down were punting back to the determined Generals where Aiden Prior would down it and hand it over to the Hamilton-Wenham Offense. But the Offense would never get going this time. Something happened; something crept in that had never been part of the Generals play. Three missed snaps, in a row, had the Generals covering the ball and the third one going over to the Hornets. And they would be quick to make it hurt. Knowing their ground troops were out matched they called in the air force, and their guy could throw. He launched one over the secondary, perfectly to the outreached hands of a streaking receiver who never slowed his pace and was never touched; he kept his stride all the way to six points. And a quick pass added two more. In a flash the Generals were wounded and down eight points.

The ball came back to Hamilton-Wenham but “mishandled ball syndrome” plagued them ever more. There would be no long marches down field. It was dropping two balls and getting shut down around the right side that had the Generals punting back to the Hornets within seconds. It was the Generals’ Defense again at the North Reading 43 yard line where the Hornet’s once again went to the air. Ian Dickey made a superb diving defense play, batting the ball from the intended receiver’s hands and Christian Ecker knocked one loose on the next play and then Tristan Smith gobbled up a run up the middle for a loss to the 38 yard line and now it was North Reading sending the ball right back with nothing gained. The ball was downed at the Generals’ 38 yard line and James Burr ran a reverse to the left side but it was a holding penalty against the Generals that sent the ball back 10 yards. Ian Dickey ran right but good pursuit closed in and he put his head down diving ahead for short yardage. Then another dropped ball on the sweep and then it was punted to the Hornets with the half ending soon. It was tough and hard hitting and the Generals played great defense but it was that greased ball haunting their play in the first half.

The coaching staff was calm. Down eight points was no reason to panic. The Generals had to calm down and move the ball. Runners were leaving too soon, not thinking about step one: getting hold of the ball. “We’re just hurting ourselves, guys”, said Coach Ecker. “The ball is not radio active. Don’t worry about the record, the Kitchin Division or anything else. Just worry about running the play”. Ecker went on to praise the Offensive Line and the Defensive Unit for playing exceptional. He told them to look at the scoreboard, make it 16-8 in their favor at the end of the third quarter. With that the boys went back to the field.

The Generals kicked to the Hornets’ with Michael Harris stopping the return at the North Reading 43 yard line. The first run from scrimmage went straight at the Defense’s middle to the 47 with Christian Ecker and Alex Rogers making the stop. Their next attempt for ground yardage tried to open the lane off-tackle but Ian Dickey, Stephen Brao and Pete Duval stuffed and smothered the runner and his linemen in a heap at the line of scrimmage for no gain. Realizing there was no ground game against this team, the Hornets flew to the air but Dickey, playing good pass defense, again batted the ball from the intended receiver and into the hands of Dominick Pizzano for the interception at the Hornets’ 47 yard line. Just the break the Generals needed but they couldn’t get it done. Dickey was tripped up on first down and it was back to the line of scrimmage on their second try. Christian Ecker pounded through heavy traffic, going off-tackle to the 44 yard line, and Brian Shaw ran hard around the right side to the 41, three yards short of the first down. Ecker would try going wide left but there would be three, knowing, tacklers waiting at the corner, and they would devour the blocking back and Ecker at the line of scrimmage before taking over on downs.

The Hornets would go back to the ground but Nolan Wilson, Christian Ecker and Peter Duval would combine to stop the next two plays for a three yard gain. It was back to the air but Stephen Brao would break this one up and North Reading was punting back to the Generals. But it was another costly mistake that would seal their fate; a fumbled reception that had the ball back in the hands of the Hornets but now with good field position. Too many gifts were given and now the Hornets would be breathing fire. Tristan Smith stopped their runner slowed by Bret Albanese and Ian Dickey. James Burr flattened a receiver in the flats but then the Hornets put together a sweep to their left that had steam and momentum. The runner turned the corner, with hoards of blockers and Dillon Durand the sole white jersey between the stampeding green shirts and the goal line. Durand shuffled right, trying to fend off blockers and trip up the runner, but as the herd rolled on their momentum sent him airborne, end over end, landing hard but jumping back to his feet to chase the runaway herd that had been slowed and corralled at the 4 yard line. A quick blast up the middle would get the job done. The Hornets now had a 14 point lead. The Generals would take the kick and Sammy Frick would bring it to their 45 yard line but an illegal procedure on first down would subtract 5 yards. James Burr would gain two up the middle and Kyle Craig would find room off-tackle to the 50. Ian Dickey would get bottled up at the line of scrimmage and the Generals would be sending the ball to the Hornets Offense, at least for a little while. Alex Rogers’ punt is taken at the Hornets’ 37 yard line but Christian Ecker intercepted on first down and ran it back to the North Reading 31. Marc Pauwels and Sammy Frick, one-two it to the 11 yard line where the Generals threaten but now the Hornets’ Defense gets tough in the Red Zone and shuts down the Generals’ running game. The Hornets take over deep in their own territory and run a couple of plays on the ground to give them some room, then, they air one over the secondary to slanting receiver hitting him on stride and going all the way for six with another pass to score the point after TD. The Generals were beaten. It was 22-0 and time was running down.

Today was the tale of two teams, or rather three teams. The Hornets were certainly a great team, well coached and had an arsenal of weapons and they executed their play very well. When the Generals took away their capable ground game, they went effectively to the air and they made good defensive adjustments against the Generals outside running game during the second half. There’s nothing you can take away from that team. Good players that were well coached.

The Generals had two looks. One very capable the other made mistakes. Their first quarter march from their own 24 yard line to the opponents’ 20 was the Generals in top form. It was a beautiful thing; they controlled and dominated with terrific Offensive Line play. There was a lot of that mixed in today’s game with some good linebacker pass defense and the running Defense was awesome as always. But they weren’t prepared for the aerial assault and the mistakes, who knows what that was about. It was probably too much made about the importance of this game, or about the record, or about points-for and points-against, or about some Super Bowl. Too much pressure about results, not enough focus on just playing the game. That wasn’t their fault, there’s a big line forming to take that blame and it starts right here. Maybe it was just a bad day. Any golfer knows about that. But it doesn’t matter; it’s the least important thing in the world. Life goes on and this was just a game. Manny Ramirez said the same thing about Game 6 in The American League Championship Series and there were people screaming foul, heresy and worse and an equal amount of people saying “he’s absolutely right, it’s just a game”. He said it either to take undue pressure off of his teammates or just stating the absolute truth. Both are correct, life goes on win or lose, the world doesn’t end, nobody gets hurt; it’s just a game. And there’s no shame in losing. Every game played, at every level, has a winner and a loser; and the biggest winners have had their share of losing. Nobody wins all of the time. You have to learn to win, and that learning process is losing. And losers win all of the time, it’s how you process failure and what you choose to do about it that makes you a success. As Coach Ecker said after the game, “We learn, we move on”. It has been a great season and the players demonstrated tremendous heart, ability, and great team play and developed terrifically as players and as people and it has been a lot of fun for everyone watching it happen. Today’s loss was just Winning 101. Class dismissed!

Hamilton Wenham Generals - B Team Game Report
Game #6 vs. Danvers Falcons
Reported by Paul Durand

The Hamilton-Wenham Generals B Team hosted the Danvers Falcons as the second half of the season began. Grant Thompson kicked with the wind behind his back and launched the ball to the Falcons’ 33 yard line with a short return to their 35. Danvers surprised with a Reverse on the first play from scrimmage that took the ball down to the 46 yard line, where Christian Ecker stopped the play, but only after first down yardage. The next play was less tricky and went straight up the middle with Peter Duval stuffing it for no gain then it was Tristan Smith standing up the next runner for Dominick Pizzano to wrap up at the 42. It was third down and a mistake cost the Falcons. They would lose 5 yards on an illegal procedure penalty and the opportunistic Kyle Craig filled the seam, from his inside linebacker position, to sack the runner at the pitch-back, swinging him down for a loss. Danvers couldn’t muster steam and punted to the Generals’ 37 yard line for their turn at offense.

The Generals’ first down play would have their delivery man, Christian Ecker, running left all the way to midfield but the outstanding play would be called back by a holding penalty. The Generals went with solid back to back Wedge plays with Ian Dickey chasing the surging Offensive Line to get back lost yardage. Then the coaches tested for outside weakness with Sammy Frick running right and Christian Ecker sticking a key block to send him for a first down. It appeared the Generals had the bus moving until it got stuck in the mud; a fumble and two plays that went nowhere set up fourth down with long yardage. The Generals put their Offense to the test and Sammy Frick got the call. It was a right sweep that had good blocking and pulled the Generals out of the muck for a first down at the Falcons’ 38 yard line. Now, the Danvers’ big, quick Defensive Line would settle down and take everything away from the Generals on the next set of downs and give their Offense a try from their own 31 yard line. But the tough G’s Defense would yield nothing and a shanked punt would come back their way at the Falcons’ 44 for a first and ten.

The Generals couldn’t get any traction; their Offense just didn’t have the usual punch. There was no aggression, no sense of urgency or intensity. They were going through the motions but not with the thunder these guys usually bring to the game. Perhaps it was a mid-season lull, or fatigue setting in after hard weekend battle after battle, or maybe just taking the Falcons too lightly. The Defense was getting the job done but not with authority. Muffled thuds were the background music not the loud clap of plastic crashing upon plastic. Whatever the reason, the Generals needed to get back to their game. Christian Ecker, Brian Shaw and Marc Pauwels would pound out only 6 yards on four downs with the conversion saved by an incidental face mask penalty against the Falcons. That wasn’t going to do it. The Danvers team seemed to have the Generals number and was shutting them down. Dickey and Craig ran for no gain then Christian Ecker took it on fourth down, with long yardage, running to the right. Dillon Durand and Michael Harris provided the necessary blocks to spring him around the corner but the Danvers cavalry charged in to end the rush short of the first down and take over. Time ran down and a whistle ended the first half of play.

“This is the worst half we’ve every played”, said Coach Ecker, disgusted with the day’s effort. “There’s no intensity”, he continued, “We’re just going through the motions. We’re not hitting, we’re not attacking”. Ecker’s voice began rise with intensity, his eyes swooped back and forth locking on each young man’s retina with a piercing stare. “You have to play offense like you play defense; You have to HIT! The game can be won on the very first play”, Ecker’s fist now clenched above his head with ferocity, as he was determined to stir the emotions of his young players. He pumped it in the air as if Zeus himself might come down from Olympus to heed his call. “If you go out there and deliver the blow that sends the message that this is your game, then you’ll win. We didn’t do that! They still think they can win this game. They can’t, unless you let them! Go out there in the second half and deliver THE BLOW! Tell them who’s going to win”. The crowd was silent, sitting on their helmets, not dejected, not feeling tired or beat or sad or angry, or scared, or anything, but maybe a little guilt. They had been resting and Coach Ecker caught them with their feet up on their desk. They knew what to do. Coach McDonald, Coach Brown, Coach Shaw, Coach Craig were calm, confident the team would play. Coach Brao added a little fire to his linemen. He knew the team needed them to get this going and that they are the backbone that gives the team strength. The boys stood up, adjusted their armor and went to the field prepared to do the job they do each week. They had a message to deliver.

The Falcons sent a short kick that was downed at the Generals 46 yard line. Christian Ecker slow pedaled to the right, waiting for the offensive line to get their work done, then put his shoulder down and darted up the middle crashing for a first down at the Falcons 35. Then Brian Shaw took speed around the right corner to the 26 and Ian Dickey, in the Wedge’s Trojan Horse, stalked his opponent as the mass gobbled up yardage then escaped on his own to the three yard line. The Generals were now making quick work of it and Christian Ecker went off-tackle into the End Zone and then again for the point after to take an 8 point lead. “The Blow” was delivered, the message sent: This would be the Generals’ day.

Grant Thompson kicked deep and Peter Duval would pile drive the runner into the turf at the Falcons’ 44 yard line where the Generals’ Defense would make a stand. Alex Rogers and Christian Ecker dumped the runner deep in the backfield as he grabbed a pitch from the Quarter Back. Aiden Prior and Dominick Pizzano stopped the next runner at the 43, and then it was Ben McDonald streaking into the backfield and bending back the runner, throwing him onto the grass, defeated, back to the 47 yard line. The Falcons, going nowhere, punted back to Hamilton-Wenham and their Offense would begin work at their own 37 yard line. The Danvers Defense was effective against the Generals’ game plan. They were quick and strong and stopped them on the next set of downs but after a punt, the Generals Defense was staunch and effective as well, and gave nothing but punishment so the ball would come back to the Silver and Blue. The G’s Offense that was raring to go from their 42 yard line. Christian Ecker ran on first down to the 47 then Sammy Frick went wide right with Dillon Durand and Christian Ecker blasting a lane wide open for Frick to get a first down at the Falcons’40. Then the Trojan soldier, Dickey, jumped out from behind the Wedge again to gain big yardage to the 23. Kyle Craig went dancing through an opening in the line taking it to the 16 yard line where the Generals threatened again. The Offensive Line was taking control and Dickey, Craig and Frick would move it closer to the 6 yard line behind their effort but the Danvers’ Defense could play and punching through was tough until Stephen Brao and Nolan Wilson opened the door and Christian Ecker would step in for six more points. Ian Dickey would add to the surplus, looking to go off-tackle, finding no room opted outside for two more points on the conversion.

Danvers would fight back and took Grant Thompson’s kick back at the Generals’ 30 yard line with good running and downfield blocking that looked like it could score. Brian Shaw was the only white shirt between the steaming runner and the goal line. The Falcons’ carrier wanted to show “tough” and lowered his shoulder to power his way to the score. But Shaw took the challenge, stood strong and went mano-a-mano, with the charging bull. The thunder of plastic hitting plastic snapped into the air as Shaw made contact taking the barreling runner down at the point of impact, saving six points. It was first and ten at the Generals 45 yard line with Alex Rogers shedding his blocker and dropping the runner for a loss back at the 48 yard line. The Falcons, needing points, took to the air but the pass was broken up by Rogers and Danvers would get only short yardage on third down. It was fourth down and time was running out and the Falcons swept left to the Generals 32 yard line. The Falcons were moving and kept pressing the ball up the field, eventually punching in for six points and scoring on the point after conversion. The drive was successful but it ate up valuable time. They needed a big play but couldn’t make it happen. Now, their only hope was to recover an on-side kick and score. The team lined up and kicked short as the ball was fielded by Alex Rogers, all but ending the game. Taking a knee would do that.

It was all smiles in the post game wrap-up and not too many “I told you so’s” from the “you know who’s”. The boys eventually got the job done and were happy with the win that boosted their record to a very respectable 4 wins and 2 losses. More than that, I think they gained a better appreciation for the job the coaches do for them. The linemen took some heat but it set them on fire. It’s not easy getting all these guys pulling in the same direction, all the time; like herding cats. But these guys really like to play and they wanted to win all they needed was a little focus, a little intensity and the sending of a clear message. Thankfully, with that done, Zeus could save a trip and have the afternoon off; maybe next time. Who knows?
Record: 4-2

Next Game: North Reading/Home

Hamilton Wenham Generals B Team Game Report
Game #5 vs. Newburyport Clippers
Reported by Paul Durand

At the whistle, the Clippers from Newburyport kicked deep to the Hamilton-Wenham B Team way back to their 20 yard line where Aiden Prior scooped up the ball and ran to the 26 yard line where he was taken down hard. It was going to be a physical game. Both teams were coming off hard fought battles against good teams. Newburyport was on a two game losing streak against Masco and North Reading. They needed a win and came to play physical. The Generals came up short against Masco last week, in a hard fought game, and wanted to get their machine running on all cylinders.

The Generals started running behind the Wedge and off tackle but the Clippers were meeting them head on. On third down Christian Ecker, moved the ball, working his magic up the field, reading blocks, and hitting hard, but the team was punished by a holding penalty that pushed the ball back to the 24 yard line. Then Brian Shaw ran a beautiful sweep and was forced out of bounds just short of the first down marker. It was fourth down with less than a yard to go. The sure thing was Ecker up the middle but the Clippers stormed the gates and dropped him short for a turn over on downs at their own 35 yard line. It was good field position for the Clippers but the Generals’ Coaches were confident in their scrappy Defense.

On the Clippers’ first play from scrimmage, the always tough, Alex Rodgers charged in to sack the runner five yards behind the line of scrimmage. The Generals were showing “tough”, and on the second play, James Burr savagely attacked the ball, jarring it loose, with #36 Christian Ecker recovering. The Clippers didn’t even know what hit them! The Generals awesome Defense stunned their opponent and stole opportunity from their grasp. It was the Clippers’ Defense back to work; and hard work it was. Two Wedge plays met stiff resistance and got nowhere when the streaking Brian Shaw got the sweep again, and Christian Ecker blasted a hole, wide open, giving Shaw an express lane to the Newburyport 43 yard line and a first down. Ecker would have a great day on the grid iron and carried next, going behind the left tackle and taking time, allowing the offensive line to work their magic. He cut left and then up field, side stepping attackers until he was downed at the 9 yard line. The Generals were on the move and the Clippers were looking for an answer that might stop the mighty Generals. The Wedge play took it closer to the 4 yard line then Ecker, rang the bell, as he picked his way through a maze of blocking to cross over for 6 points. Then it was Brian Shaw’s number 21 jersey scooting in for 2 more points on the conversion. Newburyport was quickly down 8 points and the Generals had their team revved.

Grant Thompson booted the ball to the 33 yard line and Matt Curran and Alex Rodgers stopped the return at the Clipper 43. The Clippers would answer the Generals, running right and wide with a speedy runner and blockers out in front. He would make it all the way to the Generals’ 33 yard line where, a temporarily one armed (injured), Ian Dickey pulled him down. Tristan Smith stopped the next attempt for no gain and their next runner was sacked by numerous white shirts back at the 27 yard line with the Clippers penalized for holding. It pushed the ball to the 32 and the replay of the down was dismal. The entire right side of the Defensive line descended upon the runner and then it was Matt Curran ending the Clippers advance, stopping the drive at the 29 yard line as the quarter ended and it was Generals’ ball.

The second quarter began with the Generals’ Offensive Machine going to work. Christian Ecker started moving the team, going right off-tackle, then juking left and cutting back right to break away to the G’s 49 yard line. The Wedge went nowhere on the next play and James Burr got the following call going right with Drake Little and Alex Rogers delivering key blocks to spring him to the 39. It was Burr again, this time left, taking it to the 35, and then Ecker ran for a little, followed by Sammy Frick, sweeping right, with Ecker clearing the way. Frick ran hard and was forced out-of-bounds at the 8 yard line, but not before getting the first down. The Clippers tightened up and stopped the next plays until it was fourth down and goal. Ecker took the snap, rolled right, threatening a run but dumping the pass over a defender into the waiting hands of James Burr in the End Zone for another 6 points. Ecker would take it in for the point after, adding 2 more points in their favor and it was 16-0.

The Generals kicked and the ball was downed at midfield. Newburyport had to get their Offense moving and began with a sweep on first down to the Hamilton-Wenham 41 yard line. Then the Clippers sent a run off-tackle and Matt Curran shot into the gap driving the runner outside where Ben McDonald shrugged off his blocker and surged in to make the tackle at the 42 for a loss. It was third down and Stephen Brao side-stepped his opponent and materialized in the backfield repelling a right sweep and with the runner retreating, Alex Rogers attacked from behind, hammering him hard to the turf with Drake Little adding insurance and more hurt. The jolting impact separated the ball from the runner and Pete Duval recovered for the Generals where they would run out the clock to the end of the first half.

There was not a lot to ask of the players during the half time recap. The Generals were running the ball well and hitting their holes. Blocking was making it work and their Defense, as always, was crushing. There was only one weakness, the Wedge wasn’t effective and it would be key to burning time off the clock in the second half. Coach Ecker, made corrections and then helmets were secured and it was back on the field.

The Second Half had Grant Thompson sending the ball back to the Clippers’ 33 yard line where Marc Pauwels and kicker, Grant Thompson teamed up to shut down an attempted reverse at the 46, but a holding penalty on the receiving team would bring it to the 31 yard line. Grant Thompson, Tristan Smith, Aiden Prior and Ian Dickey would suffocate a left sweep for a loss to the 24 and Kyle Craig and Tristan Smith combined to stop the next run at the 29 yard line. Smith slowed the following runner and a gang of tacklers caught up and ended the drive. The Clippers would punt to their own 47 yard line where the Generals moved the ball and ate time off the clock but an illegal block negated their gain and it would be Aiden Prior filling in as the G’s punt specialist. It was a great punt, way back to the 19 yard line and the Clippers were deep in their own territory.

Newburyport would be stalled as the third quarter ended and the ball came back to the Generals at the Clipper 45. The Generals’ next set of downs were fruitless in gaining yardage but precious time had ticked away. They had a sixteen point lead and they were keeping the ball on the Clippers’ side of the field. The struggling Newburyport Clippers took over on downs at their own 41 yard line where Tristan Smith, Matt Curran and swarms of white shirts held their opponent and the Clippers would have to punt. The ball flipped end-over-end to the Generals 37 yard line and into the hands of the waiting Dillon Durand who fielded the kick and raced up the right sideline across midfield and all the way to the Clippers’ 42. Grant Thompson and Ben McDonald tried to find room but were shut down by the desperate defense, and then Kyle Craig took it outside to the left and Christian Ecker turned back to crush the pursuing defender springing Craig for a first down to the 31 yard line. Durand was met in the backfield as he gathered in the ball from the exchange as the game clock wound down to end the game.

There wasn’t too much to say except, “good game”! It was hard to single out any outstanding players; it was a good TEAM effort. “The train is back on the track”, said Coach Ecker. “Everybody played well, everybody handled there jobs. We switched some things up on the line and I think it worked. The backs ran great! The blocking was there……James, Christian, Kyle, great blocking on the run. Our line was great on both sides…..Drake, Pete, Nolan, Andrew Cavanaugh, Alex Rogers, Matt Curran and Stephen, great job! This was easy to coach”. The Generals B Team moved to a record of 3 wins and 2 losses with this 16-0 victory. It looked easy, as the Generals maintained control throughout the game, but it was hard hitting. The Clippers came to play and never gave up, but it was the Generals who passed the test. Today they were the better team.

Record: 3-2
Next Game: Danvers/Home

Hamilton Wenham Generals - B Team Game Report - Game #4 vs. Masconomet Chieftains
Reported by Paul Durand

It was Game 4 of the season for the Generals and a test piece for League supremacy against the huge, tri-town team, the Masconomet Chieftains. The A-Team just finished an epic battle and came out on top and now the B-Team was hoping for similar success. The opening kick came to the Generals at their 35 yard line and the first play from scrimmage had Ian Dickey hitting a big hole left of center, and taking it for a first down to the 48 yard line. Next, a play up the middle netted a couple of yards then a fumbled snap had the Generals retreating to the 43 yard line. Sam Frick was sent wide, with Christian Ecker delivering an effective block at the corner, but Masco’s pursuit caught up and Frick was hit hard at the 47, short of a first down. The ball was sent off the foot of William White on fourth to the Chieftains’ 36.

The awesome Generals Defense made quick work of Masco’s Offense, decimating it deep in the backfield. Aiden Prior submarined the first runner before he could reach the line of scrimmage with Tristan Smith adding a bit of punishment to the stop. Next, Christian Ecker sliced through the line grabbing the ball carrier just after the handoff and Alex Rogers shocked a runner, attempting a reverse, as he materialized just after the ball was tucked into its cage, sacking the runner; again deep in the backfield. Soon it was Masco kicking from way down south in their territory to their own 48 where the Generals were to take over just short of midfield.

The Generals Offense was effective and efficient with Ian Dickey behind the Wedge for a short gain; then it was Christian Ecker charging through a gaping hole off the left tackle, he dodged right and cut left to find room to the 20 yard line. Finally Sammy Frick went wide and untouched into the end zone for the first score. Then again it was Ecker, going through a diminishing hole, spun around to hit the linebacker and backed him across the goal line with powering legs adding two points for the conversion. The Generals’ Defense had provided good field position and the Offense, behind a superb line, capitalized in three easy plays to take the lead.

It was Masco’s turn and they started at their 38 after Grant Thompson’s kick was downed. The Generals crushing “D” went to work and on first down Peter Duval dumped the quarterback at the handoff. Then it was Dominick Pizzano suffocating the next runner at the exchange but a dreaded face mask penalty added the only substantial yardage to be gained by Masco’s Offense. It was only for a moment because Ian Dickey sliced through the line on the very next play slamming the runner at the 41. The Generals were wreaking havoc in the Chieftain backfield, most times attacking so quick, everyone thought the QB was going to hand the ball to the wrong jersey. The Masco offensive line was no match for the Hamilton-Wenham team but the Generals would be lulled into an ambush. As the Generals D-line surged, the Chieftains’ quarterback rolled right, away from pursuit, and eyed a receiver streaking across the field. Playing the run, Aiden Prior snapped back to cover but the Chieftains’ QB had hurled a beauty. Prior ran down the fortunate fly boy at the 17 yard line as the First Quarter ended. It was one very fortunate play for the struggling Chieftains.

The Defense continued to dominate now led by James Burr who stopped two runs for losses with an assist from Matt Curran but another pass play connected at the 4 yard line. It would take 3 more plays to gain four yards with Burr, Prior and Dickey fighting to stop a score. But Masco finally punched in and James Burr delivered a message and a punishing blow to stop the point after attempt. It’s 8 – 6 in favor of the Generals. The fight was on!

The ensuing kick had the red hot James Burr taking the ball at the 43 and returning to the 49. Burr gets the next two calls and picks up a couple of yards then goes off tackle right and slides across midfield to the Masco 37. Sammy Frick followed a lost-yardage play and ran for the first down sweeping right and out of bounds but a fumbled snap on first down sent the Generals back to the 44 yard line. It was second down when a sweep went nowhere then Christian Ecker charged straight ahead but was thrown down hard, short of a first down at the 40 yard line. On fourth down William White kicked a high punt that was fielded on the run and taken up the far sidelines. The Generals missed the first tackle and the speedy runner broke another leaving Ian Dickey, the lone hope. Dickey ran and dived to save the score, but just missed. Masco took it in for 6 points. Never giving up, Grant Thompson pulled down the runner short of scoring on the point after attempt and the score was 8 – 12 in favor of the Chieftains; hardly representing the Generals’ dominance. Time was winding down in the first half and the Generals were just one score away from taking the lead.

The half time session literally showed the blood, sweat and tears the Generals put into the game. The players were wounded by a score that hardly spoke to the game they had played. Two quick blasts left questions of whether they could have been stopped. Coach Ecker assured his team “that’s just how it happens sometimes and there’s nothing you can do about it. It’s not always the better players or the hardest playing teams that succeed. It’s just one of those things. We need not hang our heads. We don’t hang our heads, ever! We played our game, we took it to them. We were kicking there butts all over the field! They were desperate and went to the Hail Mary pass. I still don’t know how they completed that pass. And a punt return; two lucky plays! That’s all they had….and the interference. That wasn’t interference, it was incidental contact. Grant’s position was between the ball and the receiver. There was nothing he could do”. Coach Ecker was correct. There was no statistical evidence to support the score except that it was a hard hitting game. Both teams were tough and wanted to win.

The Second Half had Grant Thompson booming a kick way back to the 25 yard line of the Chieftains that was picked up, run and wrestled down by Ian Dickey at the Masco 39. The first play from scrimmage had the Indians sweeping left. Dillon Durand charged but missed the flying runner who was slowed by Ecker then run down and stopped at the Generals 47 by Tristan Smith. Ecker and Rogers stopped the next play for no gain then a run to the left gets to the 36 yard line when Tristan Smith attacked the runner and ball and set it free. Coming to rest in front of the downed Dillon Durand he sprung from his knees to cover the loose ball and give the Generals’ Offense a go. The Generals were fighting back and ran a couple of plays that sent Sammy Frick around the right corner with blocking for a first down at the 45 yard line. Another couple of plays and Sammy Frick was going left around the corner to the Masco 34 but an unfortunate holding penalty brought the ball back to the 47. It was 3^rd down and 18 yards to go and Frick gets stopped for no gain and the Generals had to punt. The ball traveled off the foot of William White and rolled and stopped at the 43 yard line where an unsuspecting Chieftain picked it up. The opportunistic and quick thinking Christian Ecker realized the ball was “live” and in-play and stole it from the hands of the unsuspecting player and ran out of bounds at the 28 yard line. It was Generals ball, first and 10!

Ecker, wanted to win; he was doing everything he could to challenge for another score. He ran hard to the 23 yard line and then Marc Pauwels moved it up the middle to the 20 yard line, just two yards short of a first down. The third down run by Pauwels was stopped for a one yard gain setting up a huge fourth down play. With the game hanging in the balance the sideline sent in the mighty Wedge that was sure to convert. It was so close for a first down and the goal line was right there. Another score was all the mighty Generals could think of. The ball was snapped and the opposing linemen collided at the line of scrimmage. Masco knew if they failed, everything would be different. The Generals had to succeed, they needed to score. The mass of bodies pushed and pushed with only a slight lean to the Generals’ advantage as the pile fell onto the turf. It was close. It would depend on the official’s marking of the ball. When it was all done, the official called “First Down” and pointed in the opposite direction. It was a matter of an inch, if that. The Generals fans’ hearts sank. Equally there were cheers from the Chieftains’ admirers who knew they dodged a bullet. The cards were falling to one side. That’s just how it happens sometimes.

The ball now in Masco’s hands had to go against the Generals tough Defense who still wanted another chance to score. It wasn’t going to be easy. Masco worked hard for their success and were punished on each play by the hard hitting Generals, who weren’t giving up. Masco ran a couple of plays for a first down to the 38 yard line. Then Alex Rogers sacked the runner at the 30 followed by Dillon Durand and Aiden Prior dragging a Chieftain down at the 39 then the team gang tackled a runner at the 40 as the third quarter ended.

It was fourth down and Masco went to pass, as they had done all day when things were tough. The Quarterback stood in his pocket and launched the ball downfield to a receiver covered perfectly by Dillon Durand. Both players went up in unison, their bodies touching, hands reaching and both came down. Durand crashing on top of the Chieftain but the ball was in enemy hands for a first down. A perfect pass and a perfect catch is the game’s Royal Flush; it beats everything even perfect coverage. The game was heartbreak after heartbreak for the Silver and Blue but the Generals kept fighting and nothing was easy for Masco. Three more downs and the Chieftains were kicking back to the Generals. The punt sailed left and Prior cut over, from the right, to take the ball to the 45 yard line for a first and ten near mid-field. But the Generals offense stalled and the ball was back to the Chieftains who, in turn, were stopped by Peter Duval, Ian Dickey and Dominick Pizzano who gave up nothing to Masco and they kicked back to mid-field.

Time was running down, emotions were running high and muscles were weakened. The greater number of Chieftains with fresh legs and a desire to play kept the Generals at bay. Frick went left, then Burr then Frick again all for no gain. Finally, on fourth down with the clock winding down, Burr throws for a first down, but it is intercepted by a Masco linebacker who covered his position. Masco ran at the Generals’ resistance and they were punished with hard hitting by Tristan Smith, Ian Dickey, and Stephen Brao, but the tired, worn and frustrated team was called for a late hit that sent the ball toward the Masco goal line and eventually they were to push it in once more for another 6 points with only 6 seconds left.

It was a hard fought game. Masconomet was a good team, well coached and had a greater number of players. The Generals played better. They played strong, smart and tough until the very end. They are winners and hated to lose. But that’s just how it happens sometimes. The coaches told their team that they played this game as good as any game they’ve played; they showed more heart, more will and determination, more strength and teamwork, than ever before. They were fierce competitors and helped each other to be better players, more than ever. “We are very proud of you”, said Ecker. He spoke for everyone: every coach, every parent and friend who was at that game. All of us were very proud of the boys. Then Coach Ecker brought it all into perspective, “That’s why we have a short memory in this sport, we move on. Next week it’s Newburyport”!

Watch out!

Record: 2 – 2
Next Game: Newburyport/Home at Pingree

Hamilton Wenham Generals B Team Game Report
Game #3 vs. Lynnfield Pioneers
Reported by Paul Durand

The Generals B Team, coming off a hard fought victory last week against North Andover, had the Pioneers of Lynnfield coming into their stadium for another sunny Sunday afternoon gridiron battle. It didn’t take the Hamilton-Wenham boys long to get out of the gate. The Generals Grant Thompson aired the ball from its tee, to the Pioneers for the opening kickoff, to a waiting receiver who cut left, without securely finding ball’s handle. Just as the runner reeled in his prized possession, he was hit by a white shirt whose probing hand ripped the ball from its unsure grip and a throng of white shirts descended onto the freed object. It was Generals ball! First and ten on the visiting team’s 38 yard line.

Our gridiron heroes went to work. Ian Dickey and company, Wedged downfield to the 22 yard line where Number 36, Christian Ecker swung outside left, ball tucked away, as he encountered heavy enemy forces at the line of scrimmage. So Ecker improvised another course; shaking loose a hand, full of his white jersey, he juked and cut right across the middle of the field where a hoard of silver helmets filtered the pursuing colored jerseys from his line of sight. Ecker angled downfield for the corner and crossed the goal line standing up for a first strike. Six points for the Generals!

The Pioneers received the ball from another Grant Thompson kick and got a little fancy. The receiver started left then handed the ball to a sweeping back, reversing the direction. The not so easily fooled, Pete Duval, sniffed out the ball and nailed the runner at their 33 yard line for a gain of inches. It seemed that early game jitters had the Lynnfield team disheveled: bobbling their first snap and desperately trying to get their running game firing on all cylinders. The quicker D-line of Stephen Brao, Peter Duval, Dominick Pizano, Matt Curran and Alex Rogers, controlled the line of scrimmage and plugged holes shutting down runs up the middle. On third down, the Pioneers went outside, hunting for room to run, but the pursuit of Alex Rogers denied success and Lynnfield would be punting the pigskin back to the Generals. The ball was downed at the Generals’ 46 yard line and the home team proceeded to drive ball downfield to the Pioneer 40 behind carries by Ian Dickey and Christian Ecker. Eventually the drive fell shy of a conversion and on fourth down the Hamilton-Wenham Coaches, unleashed their latest weapon, the foot of William White. White boomed a kick, deep downfield, toward the sideline where Alex Rogers and Aiden Prior swarmed to contain the return. When the dust cleared, the officials marked the ball deep in Pioneer territory, at the 9 yard line. Coach Ecker and his gang had great expectations for their defensive unit.

The Pioneers, with their backs against a wall, nervously faced the snarling, carnivorous defense, that was chummed into a shark-like feeding frenzy by a boisterous (okay, yelling) coaching staff. Orders barked from hoarse, strained throats that filled the airways as adrenaline oozed into the veins of the defensive players. There wasn’t anything the Pioneers could do against these predators. Their runs were swallowed by the Defensive Line and Linebackers and the omnipresent, Alex Rogers and Ian Dickey attacked again and again. Finally they were faced with fourth down and their hopes of surviving the ordeal had dimmed. Lynnfield sheepishly turned over the ball to the marching Generals, poised to strike from good field position. It was short work; the motoring Sammy Frick, followed blocking by Ecker, Harris and Prior, swept left, gliding into the End Zone, untouched for another 6 points.

The Pioneers frustrated offense ran into wave after wave of pursuit, and the ball was soon sent back to the Generals with a booming punt over the heads of the receivers. It was all they could do. It was first and ten deep in Hamilton-Wenham territory at the18 yard line. The Generals’ offensive machine ate up yardage and time moving the ball to the 41 yard line with runs from Ecker, Frick and James Burr before sending the ball back to the Lynnfield Pioneers; who coughed it up on first down when Pete Duval jarred the ball loose and Hamilton-Wenham recovered at the Generals’ 48 yard line. James Burr had the Generals on the move before an errant snap stopped any more scoring in the first half.

At half time, Coach Ecker praised the team for being polished, making no mistakes, sustaining blocks and playing like winners. “You’ve got this one! Just keep playing with the same intensity and intimidate with your defense”. He spoke of being “…nervous about the second half against this team. Something has the hairs on the back of my neck standing straight”, he said. I’m not sure he was. The Coaches first half intensity had settled within and they seemed pleased, calm and only slightly anxious. There were few conversations besides “get some water, hydrate” and some football clichés. There wasn’t the usual playfulness of a youth football team. The players sat confident, calm, and pleased with themselves as well. Something was growing within each player; by osmosis the intensity had transferred from coaches into the young players. Something you might find in a high-stakes game, at a higher level. Not U13 football. These boys were becoming men with jobs to do. They sat resting, but impatiently. They wanted to get back out there and finish the job.

Ironically the ball gets loose on the ensuing kickoff and Lynnfield steals one from the Generals at their own 31 yard line. But Alex Rogers ensured their good fortune was fleeting and would last for only one down. He delivered a jolting tackle and rattled the ball loose from the Pioneer ball carrier and Peter Duval took it back. The Generals’ Offense was on the move again and started grinding out yardage and eating time off the clock. It was Ecker, then Frick and then Brian Shaw, with a soon to be patented run, who each carried for first down yardage. The Hamilton-Wenham Coaches sent a second wave of attacks with Frick and Ecker going off tackle and then Ian Dickey powering downfield behind the mighty Wedge. The Generals were marching on every down and again Ecker went off-tackle taking it into the Red Zone at the12 yard line. Standing over their opponent, the offensive unit delivered the coup de grace, the final blow of mercy. The front end of the offensive machine: Stephen Brao, Pete Duval, Dominick Pizano, Matt Curran and Alex Rogers exploded into Pioneer’s defensive unit tearing it open and Sam Frick waltzed in for another 6 points for Hamilton-Wenham. Icing the cake, Ian Dickey, slipped through a gaping hole for two more points on the conversion. The score was: Generals 20, Lynnfield 0, with the Generals completely in control.

Lynnfield continued to fight for a score; to find some moral victory in the day, they got their offense moving after taking the kick at their 40 yard line. Mixing runs and passes and taking advantage of penalties, the Pioneers crossed over mid-field to the Generals 43. A fresh group of Generals, who share time on the JV team, came in to stop the momentum. Dillon Durand blitzed from his safety position turning a Screen Pass receiver back into a crowd of white shirts where Matt Curran took him down behind the line of scrimmage as the third quarter ended with a fourth down and 3 yards to go for a first. The Pioneers took their running game up the middle and barely eked out a first down to keep the drive alive. But Andrew Cavanaugh, William White and Kyle Craig shut down the next three runs and the entire defense descended upon a runner up the middle to get the ball back on downs in the waning minutes of the game.

It was the Generals marching again as Marc Pauwels picked his way up the middle to Generals 44 and Dillon Durand slicing right and taking it across mid-field, slamming and writhing into a pack of yellow and purple shirted players gathering every inch until he was done at the Lynnfield 48. A fierce Kyle Craig followed off tackle and drove for a first down. Time was running down and the Generals continued ball control with Pauwels, Craig and Durand hammering at the weakening Pioneers. There were seconds left and Durand’s enthusiasm drew a personal foul. It was more like a mercy rule, stopping unnecessary damage. The final whistle blew and the Generals improved their record to 2 wins, 1 loss with this 20-0 victory. Coach Ecker wrapped up the day with some final words to his troops: “This was your best game. Our defense was awesome, the Wedge was phenomenal and all of our backs ran very well behind super blocking. We demonstrated the three most important things in this game: DESIRE, EXECUTION and SPEED! We’ll only get better and we’ll be taking that to Masco next week”.

What he didn’t, and wouldn’t, say was, it was good coaching too! Coaches Ecker, McDonald, Brown, Smith, Dickey, Shaw, Brao, Frick & Craig, had these guys playing well and sacrificed much of their vocal power communicating to the field. Let’s hope they have something left for practice next week.

Record: 2 – 1
Next Game: Masco/Away

Hamilton Wenham Generals - B Team Game Report
Game #2 vs. North Andover Scarlet Knights
Reported by Paul Durand

It was a great football day with cool crisp fall-like weather that charged the atmosphere in the General’s Stadium. The North Andover Scarlet Knights had come to town to battle the Hamilton Wenham Generals in Game 2, the Generals’ home opener. The Generals suffered a disappointing loss in the previous week against Amesbury who they battled scoreless until the waning seconds of the game when a punt reception got away near the goal line and led to the only score of the game. The Generals were not going to give anything away this week but North Andover showed up with a big, strong team that had the fans concerned.

The Generals received the opening kick-off and moved the ball to their 45 yard line for a first down behind back-to-back Wedge Plays. Ian Dickey carried behind the Wedge for another two plays but the defense clamped down and Christian Ecker was sent outside to make some room. He was hit hard and short of a first down. On fourth down, William White delivered a spiraling punt to the Knight’s 26 where the Generals’ defense would be put to the test. James Burr almost single-handedly shut down North Andover’s offense by stuffing the runners on the first three plays from scrimmage. Burr spent most of his day in the offensive backfield with his hands on red jerseys but now a penalty gave the Scarlet Knights new life bringing the ball to the 34 yard line, only two yards short of a first down. The challengers were going to have to earn it; Burr and Stephen Brao combined to deny the first down conversion and the ball was coming back to the Generals. A short punt gave the Home Team good field position but tragedy struck on back to back plays when a holding penalty sent the ball in reverse and then an exchange was missed and the Knights recovered a loose ball in General’s territory on the 35 yard line. It seemed the breaks kept going one way; it was back to defense.

The Knights sent their first runner through a quickly diminishing gap and Ian Dickey stopped the run for a short gain; but a left sweep, on the following play, took the ball perilously close to the Generals’ End Zone at the 15 yard line as the First Quarter ended. The Generals dug in and upped their defensive intensity. Matt Curran, Christian Ecker and James Burr rattled the Scarlet Knight’s backfield causing fumbles on two successive plays that didn’t bounce in their favor and North Andover maintained possession of the ball. The loss of yardage put a strain on the Knights’ offense, as the ball rested distantly on the Generals 18 yard line with third down and a long 14 yards to go. It was a lot of yardage against the Generals’ fine defense. Probing for weakness, the aggressors ran wide but Aiden Prior ended North Andover’s hope of cracking the defense by running the sweep out of bounds, way short of a first down. The Knights had one last chance on this set of downs to convert for a first down but failed and the ball was back to the Generals offense.

Penalties haunted the Generals all day. Deep in their own territory, they were tagged again and sent back to their own 7 yard line. The Generals needed some room; they needed to get their offense moving; they needed points on the board. That’s probably what was going through the minds of players and Coaches when Christian Ecker sparked life into hearts of his teammates with a fierce run around the right side. As he turned the corner he was hit and hit again, then one more time before being pulled down. He bucked and countered each attack with punishing power that stung each of the defenders. It wasn’t miles of yardage gained, but his message was clearly delivered: this was going to be a fight! Sammy Frick’s number was next as he was run out of bounds at the 16 yard line by a massive pursuit that punctuated the ordeal with a late hit out-of-bounds. That personal foul sent the ball ten yards forward for a first and ten at the 26 yard line. Now with room behind them the Generals were on the move. Again Ecker went outside, again to the right, and then cut left around a block in heavy traffic. By the time he was downed the ball rest on the Generals’ 46 yard line. It was two plays later when Sammy Frick blazed right with some room to run. A quick thinking Alex Rogers threw his body at a would-be-tackler blasting him toward the sidelines as Frick cut left around the collision. The horse was out of the gate! There wasn’t enough speed on the defense to catch the racing Frick and the Generals had posted the game’s first score.

After the ensuing kick-off, the defense was back to the grind, Tristan Smith, Ian Dickey and Aiden Prior combined for a stop; then Peter Duval sacked the runner behind the lines and forced the Knights into the air. The first pass missed its mark and the second attempt had Prior nearly intercepting the pass but getting the ball back to the Generals with a turn-over-on-downs. After a few running plays the first half ended with the score Generals 6, Knights 0.

The second half of the game started with the ball in the hands of North Andover’s offensive unit who desperately wanted to even the score; and a two point conversion would put them in the lead. But the Generals gave them nothing on their first possession with Dominick Pizzano causing chaos in the offensive backfield. It was in the waning minutes of the third quarter when the Knights charged and once again put the Generals to the test. North Andover drove the ball downfield and into the Hamilton Wenham Red Zone. The fourth quarter began with a first-and-goal for the Knights on the Hamilton-Wenham seven yard line following a dreaded face mask penalty. The Knights ran right into the middle of the Generals’ mighty defense hoping to crack it open for a score but Tristan Smith took command and stopped everything the Knights would throw his way. On first down the ball was rattled from its cage and nervously pounced upon by a Knight to preserve their hope of victory. Then a run, off-tackle, went into the arms of Number 55, Smith followed by a third down play into the hands of Peter Duval who wasn’t yielding and inch. The play drew a flag from the officials that caused the Hamilton-Wenham Coaches to make the most important decision of the game. Take the penalty, and re-play 3^rd down with a long 12 yards to go, or decline it for the final down and only 7 short yards to a score. Coach Ecker paused, thought for a moment, and from his heart spoke his decision: “fourth down”! He turned and walked away, head down, eyes fixed on the turf in front of his path to the coach’s bench, as he raised his hand high above his head displaying four fingers to his team. They knew what was at stake; what had to be done. The players’ helmets turned each way, eyes locked on eyes, hands gestured and voices barked directions of assurance as they settled into their defensive stance. A moment suspended in time. Tension was high on the field and at the sidelines and in the stands as a collective breath was held. With a quick snap of the ball the scene went into motion. The Knights ran right down the dragon’s throat. That “breath” turned into a nervous gulp as the Knights’ offensive line surged into a wall of determination and the running back, fired like a missile, into the seemingly invincible, Tristan Smith and Dominick Pizzano. A thunderous clap of plastic announced the collision. That breath was held until the young gladiators dropped at the point of impact onto a pile of red and white shirted bodies. No gain on the play; it was the Generals’ ball!

With first and ten from their own 7 yard line it was now the elated Generals on the move. Christian Ecker dashed right with a little room but was tripped up from behind at the 22. Two plays later, on third down, Brian Shaw raced around the right side to be run out of bounds but not until he gained a most important first down at the HW 36 yard line. The home team pounded out yardage down to the Knights’ 33 yard line when a flag and then a fumbled snap had them back on the 47 with 2:21 left on the clock. The Generals kicked on fourth down to the North Andover 30 yard line with a 3 yard return. The sun was sinking on the Knights so they went to the air but with no success and on 4^th down, in one last desperate attempt to run up the middle they hit the wall, Tristan Smith, one last time as they sank into the losing column.

In the post game recap Coach Ecker praised the team’s “heart” and their ability to overcome adversity in this “roller coaster game”. Most of all, he told the players that they were taking care of business amongst themselves calling numbers, directing players, working like a team. When he had to make that “most important call” with the Knights in position to score he decided to give it to the players who showed: they knew what was at stake; they knew how to play and they knew what it took to win. “I took the coaching out of it and let the players make it happen.” They did make it happen. Amongst the jubilation and cheering I think everyone there was glad it was over.

Hamilton Wenham Generals B Team 1-1
Next Game: Lynnfield/Home

JVB Reports

Hamilton Wenham Generals JVB Team Game Report
Game # 8 vs. Marblehead Magicians
Reported by Paul Durand

It was Monday Night Football JVB style with the Hamilton-Wenham Generals taking on the Marblehead Magicians on a cold, late, October night where the Generals would try to put another game in the win column and keep their one loss lonely. Marblehead has a good program as the G’s brethren on the A and B Teams found the previous day. The night, the lights, the chill, the turf, the fans and the clamor of armor charged the atmosphere and energized the players on this most excellent football night. Coach McDonald was at the helm planning to spread it around, getting a lot of players involved and keeping fresh legs playing throughout the four quarters. Marblehead began the game kicking to the Generals, but like the day before, they would make an on-side attempt to steal the offensive advantage by surprise. It didn’t quite work like that. Instead the Generals covered the ball and took over with good field position with an Offensive Line that likes pushing people around and a group of backs with speed, who follow their blockers and make yardage on their own. That adds up to points on the board and it wouldn’t take long. Michael Harris sprung through the defensive line quickly and was finally chased down after gaining big yardage to the 13 yard line of the Magicians. Ben McDonald ran it next behind Dillon Durand’s lead blocking pushing it to the 8 where the powerful Wedge moved behind Nolan Wilson, Ricky Nardella and cohorts to the 4 yard line. Finally, the O-Line parted the sea of red shirts to pave the way for Dillon Durand’s four yard romp into the end zone for the game’s first score. Michael Harris tacked on two more points scampering in and the Generals jump out in front 8-0.

Grant Thompson applied pressure with another one of his booming kicks, way down to the Marblehead 23 yard line, burying them deep in their own territory. The Magicians would try to create some magic to answer the score but the Generals “D” doesn’t give you much. Houdini might fare better. Kyle Craig and James Burr combined to plug the lane and stuff the runner looking for room off-tackle on the first play from scrimmage then Matt Curran, getting around the end, chased down the next runner for a loss. On third down the Magicians would jump too soon and lose 5 more yards on the penalty and another couple on the run digging them deeper. With no success inside, Marblehead looked for weakness outside but Burr & Craig teamed up again sinking a wide sweep for a loss and the Marblehead team would have to punt from deep in their territory. The kick was short and Hamilton-Wenham Offense took over on the Magicians’ own 38 yard line where the Generals ran a rare pass play. Ben McDonald rolled right and Dillon Durand turned a button-hook in the flats, across the line of scrimmage, and was wide open with room but the ball bounced off his face mask and out of reach. Going back to a sure thing, Mark Harris rode the Wedge for a couple of yards then Grant Thompson was taken down on a sweep to the left but the Magicians drew a yellow flag by grabbing a hold of his face mask in the process and gave the Generals a first down on the 27 yard line. Dillon Durand took the next snap and worked his way downfield past three tacklers to the 16 yard line to threaten again in the Red Zone then Sammy Frick turned it on, angled left and banged it to the 8. Michael Harris would find no room but James Burr made some and pushed past the chains for the first down at the 5 yard line. Now it was Ben McDonald’s turn but a tremendous defensive surge, a rare O-line collapse, sacked him for a loss. Dillon Durand ran the same play right up the rear of his blocking backs pushing and pushing to the goal line but stalled one, maybe two feet short of a score. Michael Harris would go at it twice but was denied and Marblehead would take over on their one yard line. Not an enviable position by any means. This JVB Team loves to eat people with their defense and they would prove menacing; it was just a matter of time. Ricky Nardella gave it a try but the runner’s forward progress brought it back to the line of scrimmage and on the next play Drake Little crashed through, followed by Michael Harris, to pin the runner behind his goal line for a safety and two points with the ball coming back to the Generals.

Michael Harris received the punt, juggled it for a moment, but was off and running wide left, fending off a tackler then sprinting to the 27 yard line before he was pulled down. Ben McDonald dropped back to air the ball again, but the gate was stormed and the Magicians were coming so he tucked the ball away at the 33. The next play got back the lost yardage, plus a few, then the Generals’ runner was banged hard and the ball loosened from its grip with Marblehead recovering with only a little time left in the first half. James Burr ensured nothing would be gained on first down then the Magicians pulled the rabbit out of the hat and sent a runner around the left with speed, blockers and a lot of room as time was running out. The blockers filtered the Generals’ pursuit and to the fans it looked like the Magicians were going to score but Kyle Craig, the last man standing, went full speed and angled toward the runner then fired his body at the runaway Magician sending him out of bounds at the 50 yard line and robbing his opponent of a score. It was a big play ending the first half.

Steam was rising into the brisk atmosphere from the players during the half time gathering; it was cold. There were no major adjustments to be made. Things were in control and going well. Coach McDonald was pleased that each player was doing their respective jobs. He moved player’s positions and assured his team that everybody was going to play. “We’re going to keep fresh legs in the game, so be ready to go out there”, he warned. Coach Brown gave kudos to the Linemen for controlling the Magicians and giving the backs room to run.

The Generals kicked to start the second half with Brian Shaw downing the return runner at the Marblehead 35 yard line. On first down Dominick Pizzano and Drake Little stopped an off-tackle play at the 38 then Pizzano jammed the next runner standing him up and shaking the ball loose. Pizzano dropped the runner onto the ground and pounced upon the ball to hand it over to the Generals’ Offense at the Marblehead 35. The Offense began behind the Wedge with James Burr carrying to the 29 but on second down the snap was lost by cold hands and is covered for lost yardage. Marc Pauwels gets the next call and angles his run left all the way to the 15 yard line and a first down then its Burr off-tackle to the 10 yard line. Then a couple of runs went nowhere until Michael Harris spins a reverse to an open field and scores another TD with Brian Shaw running in for two more points behind doormen Harris and Pauwels who open it up. The Generals have a commanding 18-0 lead.

The Generals’ Grant Thompson again kicked well but the Magicians managed a return that had Drake Little stopping it at the Marblehead 41. There wasn’t too much the Marblehead team could do from here on out. The Generals defense was too much and couldn’t be run against. They needed a bit more magic but tricks weren’t going to do it. They needed points quick and often with time winding down. Their first run from scrimmage had promise; it went to the 49 before Brian Shaw would run it out of bounds. They would do that one more time and get a first down at the Generals 37, then it was to the middle with Aiden Prior and James Burr dragging the runner down at the 33 then it was wide left with Pizzano in pursuit taking the next runner down at the 25. The Magicians were finally moving but this is where it gets rough, approaching the 20 yard line, the Red Zone where it gets crowded and the Generals get tough. Craig and Burr jammed the left tackle lane to stop any gain then Aiden Prior gave only a little to the 21. On third down, Marblehead makes the wrong call, up the middle. There would be nothing there. Tyler Ross and Dominick Pizzano would crush everybody coming at them and again there would be no gain. It was the Magicians last show of the night on fourth down and still scoreless but the Generals were dominant and Alex Rogers brushed aside his man and gathered in the runner deep in the backfield to give the ball back to the Generals.

Cold hands would rule most of the play until the end. The Generals covered a series of fumbles and managed to eke out a first down. Coach McDonald called for the Wedge with James McClellan carrying to the 48 then Grant Thompson ran right off-tackle banging off a few tacklers but staying upright until he would finally be stripped of the ball and Marblehead recovered back at their own 25. There was little time left and Grant’s run was as effective as one of his kicks. Marblehead was deep in their territory and it was hopeless. James Burr stopped a couple for little gain then Sam Frick would pop the runner hard in the middle with Ben McDonald hammering the next guy. There was no letting up and a couple of plays had the buzzer sounding with the Generals JVB record an admirable 7 wins and 1 loss.

It was going to be a short and sweet recap. It was cold and Coach Frick was moving toward mild hypothermia after being coerced from his warm-ups at the beginning of the game by a questionable tradition of “coaching shorts” no matter what. Nobody was acclimated for this first cold snap and the field’s lights offered no warmth. Coach McDonald had called a good game from the helm and his boys all played well. They dominated from the start and stayed sharp and tough the whole game. They gave no points and moved the ball well. He applauded their team play, gave them Halloween Night off and said, “next week, it’s back here for the other team”. Let’s get the same results.

Record: 7-1
Next Game: Marblehead/Away

Hamilton Wenham Generals JVB Team Game Report
Game # 7 vs. North Reading Hornets
Reported by Paul Durand

It was game day. The North Reading Hornets brought with them an undefeated record and a hope of stinging the Hamilton-Wenham Generals to keep their sterling record perfect. That’s much easier said than done against the Generals’ JVB Team that had only allowed three touchdowns scored against them all season and possess a lightning quick Offense. Fall’s full colors draped the background as the Generals’ Grant Thompson kicked the ball to the Hornets’ 35 yard line and it was returned to their 47. The Hornets would look far from perfect. The very first play from scrimmage cost them five yards on an illegal procedure penalty; a recurring mistake that would haunt the team all day. The Hornets tested the Generals’ pursuit, running wide left, but Dillon Durand stepped up quickly from his deep safety position to drop the runner for a loss at the 45 yard line. Michael Harris would then dart through the line disrupting the next run, deep in their backfield, with Grant Thompson banging in to finish him for another loss. On third down, Chase Brown and Brett Albanese filled the gap to take steam out of a run up the middle and the right side of the defensive line would crush the next attempt going off tackle. The Generals smothered the Hornets Offense and took possession from their 44 yard line.

Now it was the Generals’ turn to handle the ball. James McClellan moved behind the Wedge to the 49 and Marc Pauwels ran left, off-tackle, for big yardage and a first down to the 24 yard line. Pauwels repeated the play, this time to the right, pounding down to the 20 yard line with Dillon Durand and James McClellan moving it up the middle to the 15 yard line, resting just one yard short of a first down. On fourth down Michael Harris would take the ball outside but he was met deep in the backfield by enemy pursuit. He shook off the tackler and angled left fighting for the first down. Marc Pauwels and Dillon Durand would move the ball inside to the 2 yard line and then it was Harris stopped short, only a foot from the goal line. The Hamilton-Wenham Coaches went for the sure thing. The Offensive Line surged to score 6 points blasting back the Hornets Defensive Line with Marc Pauwels carrying it over as the first quarter ended. The Generals had made quick work of it.

Just after taking the lead, the Generals sent back a rare short kick that gave North Reading the ball at their 45 yard line. Another generous mistake, jumping too soon, would help the Generals one more time pushing the ball back to the 40. At the snap, Ben McDonald and Tyler Ross flew into the Hornet’s nest clearing the way for Nolan Wilson to drop the runner for a loss back at the 34 yard line. Then Wilson battled a double team, just missing the runner going off-tackle but an alert Marc Pauwels stepped up to take him down at the 39. On third down Andrew Cavanaugh chased the runner around the right side with Michael Harris latching on and riding him down just getting back to the line of scrimmage. The Hornets with no sting would have to punt and sent one high to the waiting Dillon Durand, at the 50 yard line. Durand speeding left got hit hard, driving him out of bounds, but only after gaining good yardage down to the North Reading 38. Grant Thompson would get the next call, and his star would shine all day, as he ran right. Durand stuck a key block with James McClellan and Michael Harris providing down field support and clearing the way for a touchdown scoring, 38 yard, run that sent the Generals further ahead to a 12-0 lead. The Generals were taking command.

Grant Thompson boomed the following kick way back to the 25 yard line and would streak down, with wild abandon, to make the tackle with authority, at the 28; hitting the return man hard after gaining only three yards. Not bad from the kicker! Thompson, on fire and possessed, would step up on first down and jar the ball loose from a shaken Hornet with Dillon Durand pouncing upon the loose ball to take it away and put the Generals Offense back on the field. Marc Pauwels got the ball first as the Hornets desperately clawed at his possession in hopes of stealing it back as he pushed to the 38 yard line. Durand got the next call running right off-tackle, looking for blocking, then lowered his shoulder and pounded ahead to the 30 yard line for a first down. North Reading wouldn’t roll over. They continued tackling the ball and eventually pulled it from the Generals grip to take it away and return it to their own 32 yard line.

Getting control of the ball was only half the battle. Now the North Reading team had to face Hamilton-Wenham’s awesome Defense. A quick and tough Rick Nardella with the big, strong Nolan Wilson destroyed the Hornets first down attempt. Then Kyle Craig stepped up from his Inside Linebacker position and stuffed the runner, crashing into him at the line of scrimmage. The Hornets were seeking something that would work against the Generals fierce “D” and went to the air but Tyler Ross barreled through the line breathing fire on the Hornets’ arm as he launched one into the Generals secondary where Grant Thompson hit the target as the ball arrived rattling it loose and Durand jumping on the loose ball. The Officials ruled it incomplete and North Reading was punting back to the Home Team where it fell short and bounced in the G’s favor. Kyle Craig proceeded with a good run but it was called back by the only mistake made by the Generals all day, and it was a questionable call. Time was winding down with Mike Harris and Craig running out the clock of the first half with the Generals in complete control.

There wasn’t much tweaking necessary during intermission. The Generals’ Brass noted exceptional play between the tackles with Ricky, Tyler, Drake and Nolan getting kudos on their first half play. “Some of the best play by our Linebackers”, added Coach Ecker. “Defensive Line, good play, this team is playing excellent football, and then he moved to the second half strategy. “They are tackling the ball. Hold on, stay low, keep it covered up”. Ecker impressed one thing over and over to his soldiers, “Don’t let up; don’t get complacent”. He went on to say, “We have speed and quickness that they don’t have. Use it! And you know how to hit; hit effectively”! Then he repeated the mantra, Don’t let up! Don’t let up”, as he craned over the seated players making sure everyone had that message imprinted within their cerebral cortex. “You’re playing great. Let’s go out there and play our game”! The boys snapped on their helmets, looking in control and marched out to the field. You knew there would be no letting up. No lessening of intensity. No complacency. No softening of the blows. They tasted a win and this would be their day.

Kyle Craig got the Generals moving in the second half as he received the ball on the kick and ran it back to the Generals’ 47 yard line. Then on first down, it was Marc Pauwels ducking behind the Wedge and pumping his legs furiously, pushing and pushing up the field to the Hornets 46 yard line. Next, Grant Thompson burst through a canyon; a huge opening off-tackle, to the 30 yard line for a first down. Starting the next set of downs, Dillon Durand carried up the middle pointing his shoulder pads at obstacles in his way, gaining ground and bruising to the 25 yard line. The Generals were moving at will, and keeping the drive alive, Marc Pauwels saved a missed snap and jumped on the ball for a small loss of yardage, then Durand ran it wide, back to the 25, bringing up a fourth down and 5 yards to go when the Generals had the ball stolen out of their arms and North Reading takes over deep in their own territory.

It wouldn’t be easy for North Reading. They had to battle a tough defense and had a lot of yardage to gain. On their first play, Ricky Nardella and Tyler Ross bottled up the Hornets at the line of scrimmage and Grant Thompson took down the next attempt at the 27 yard line. North Reading, needing to get something going on offense found some success running sweeps and getting blockers out in front. Michael Harris would run one player out of bounds then again the Hornets gained good ground with Dillon Durand finally stopping their sweeping runner way downfield at the Generals’ 27 yard line where the Hornets had a first down and were closing in. They took their success to the opposite side but this time Kyle Craig eluded the blockers, slipping in and stopped the run at the line of scrimmage. Then the Hornets would hurt themselves jumping off-side and losing 5 yards twice on back-to-back plays. Nardella and Wilson once again teamed up to stop the run at the 23 yard line and the Hornets would penalize themselves again on third down and once more on fourth down, moving the ball in the wrong direction. When the Generals weren’t hurting them, they were hurting themselves. Desperate, they went to the pass but Sammy Frick stepped in front of the intended receiver and picked off the thrown ball. The Fourth Quarter would begin with the Generals on offense and Hornets hopes withering.

But this time the Generals couldn’t get it done on three downs and it would be back on their trusted defense. Alex Rogers punted to the North Reading 38 yard line where it was downed. The Hornets went back to their effective sweeps and ran around the left side all the way down to the Generals’ 27 yard line and once more appeared to be moving when a yellow flag set them back 10 yards. They would make that yardage back running around the right side with Grant Thompson and Michael Harris finishing off the runner at the 28 yard line. Next, sweeping left Dillon Durand and Ricky Nardella would stop the runner at the 18 yard line then they would try mixing it up, going off-tackle to the right side with Nolan Wilson, Ricky Nardella and Kyle Craig shutting them down with one foot to go for a first down. Then the Hornets stung themselves again with an illegal procedure penalty adding five more yards to the fourth down play. Matt Curran ended the struggle, flying through the line dumping the runner for a big loss and turning it over on downs to the Generals’ Offense.

Spiraling in disarray, the Hornets would field too many players and gift the Generals more yardage starting at the 36 yard line. Marc Pauwels and the effective Offensive Line pressed harder, running well, hit a big, big, hole in the right side of the line and dashed to their 42 yard line and a first down. Then it was the Wedge rolling to the Hornets’ 45 as the two minute warning was delivered to the sidelines. On second down Dillon Durand popped through where he lowered his shoulder and drove to the 40 for another first down. Alex Rogers rode the Wedge this time, gathering opponent’s green shirts, as the pile moved down field until momentum waned and Rogers, perfectly timed, jumped out and went in for a score. The point after conversion had Ben McDonald around the corner with Dillon Durand clearing the way for two more points. It was 20 – 0 in favor of the Home Team and the Generals were not letting up. They kicked to North Reading and on the second play from scrimmage jarred the ball loose with Drake Little recovering as time was running out.

The team gathered after the game and there wasn’t much to say except “great game”. The boys knew they played well and had slain another giant. They weren’t hurting or spent. For them it was just another day at the office but the star-clad, silver, white, and blue, Generals’ JV B Team earned another great win adding to an impressive 6 wins, 1 loss record. They executed a flawless game against a team with a flawless record and they beat them soundly. I could have warned that other team. You can’t make mistakes playing these guys and they’re not afraid of your size, your record, your speed, your reputation, or anything else. They will hit you hard and harder. And do it again. You need to bring a good game and play well. The Generals do……and they don’t let up.

Record: 6-1
Next Game: Marblehead/Away

Hamilton Wenham Generals - JVB Team Game Report
Game # 6 vs. Danvers Falcons
Reported by Paul Durand

It was a blue-sky October morning with the Danvers Falcons challenging the Hamilton-Wenham JV B Football Team on their home field. A whistle, a whirl of a zebra’s arm, and a kick of the ball had the game off and running with the Generals on offense from their own 45 yard line after Michael Harris’ return of the opening kick. Marc Pauwels would be a workhorse, starting on first down behind the Wedge and next it was Sammy Frick going off-tackle, combining for a first down to the Falcons’ 40 yard line. Then Drake Little ignited the Wedge, blasting off the ball to lead the surge as Pauwels followed him and the rest of the offensive line to the 32 yard line where it was Pauwels again, this time off-tackle, running tall for another first down deep in the Falcons’ territory at the 27.

The Generals were on the move with Sammy Frick running right, through a gaping hole, with Dillon Durand out front plowing a path but the big run was cancelled by a holding penalty that sent the ball backwards and the Generals were unable to overcome that deficit and turned the ball over, on downs, to the Falcons at their own 28 yard line. The drive had stalled but there’s no worry when the JVB Defense is on the field. They surge, they hit, they crush, they punish and you better hold on, they’ll get that ball back one way or another. And don’t think about scoring points, you’d have better luck on special teams doing that, because these brutes don’t give it up. If you’re going to get six, it better be in one fell swoop, a lucky play, or maybe in your dreams, because these guys are gonna beat you. And tough they were; Danvers held the ball for six plays before having to punt to a waiting Grant Thompson ending the first quarter.

Now it was the Generals Offense back on the field. Pauwels moved behind the mighty Wedge for a first down then assumed lead blocking for Sammy Frick and gave the speedster room to the 35 yard line, and again it was Frick, going off-tackle to the right side with the O-line providing a gaping hole and James McClellan downfield, slugging it out to get Sammy to the Falcons’ 40 yard line for a first down. Pauwels took it again, with brilliant running off-tackle, sliding right then cutting up field to the 12 yard line when tragedy struck. A loose ball fell to the Danvers team just when it looked like the Generals were marching for a score.

Grant Thompson, Marc Pauwels and Andrew Cavanaugh wrestled down any blue shirted player with the ball until a pile of white jerseys would strip a Falcon prey of his prize and the Generals would take over on the Danvers 42 yard line. Then it was the Generals’ Wedge at its finest, moving piles of players with awesome, unstoppable power. As time was running out, the Silver Streak, Sammy Frick went for gold and swept wide right toward the goal line but was hit hard and stopped at the13 yard line, just short of the goal as the first half ended with no score.

Coach Brao praised the phenomenal offensive line performance. “We own them! We will beat them; we will score! Just keep playing like you’re playing”. Wings and Ends, step it up! We don’t want this to end zero - zero. Control the game!” He turned to the other side of the game, “Defense……we expect more! We’re not playing aggressive. Beat these guys!” Then Coach McDonald stepped in, made adjustments and gave the team one last encouragement, “Choose to win, guys. That’s all you have to do.” The hats went on and an awakened team took to the field.

In the second half, the monster within arose to take over the body of #40, Ricky Nardella, who was transformed into a speeding bullet, a cannonball off the line of scrimmage soon after Grant Thompson had kicked to the Falcons at their 28 yard line. There was no stopping him. He led a gang of tacklers to shake loose the ball and Dominick Pizzano recovered for the Generals at the Bird’s 32 yard line. Kyle Craig, Marc Pauwels and James