Grand finale for Saugus
Saugus had run the play before, but not often, and never in front of a Thanksgiving crowd in the pouring rain.
Sophomore quarterback Brett Reid took the snap and knelt down, watching as time ran out in the Sachems' 13-0 win over Peabody. It was the last of a 62-game Thanksgiving rivalry with the Tanners and it couldn't have gone better for a rebuilding Saugus program.
The simple run-out-the-clock play gave Saugus its third win in a row after an 0-7 start, and it was the Sachems' first win over Peabody in 18 years. The series ends with Peabody holding a 38-25 advantage. Despite the Tanners' move from the Greater Boston League to the Northeastern Conference with Saugus, the teams will go separate ways on Thanksgiving. Peabody will play Malden Catholic while Saugus has several possible opponents, but no definite opponent yet.
But you'd never know from Thursday's score that Peabody was the giant, Saugus the giant-killer.
"It was a great feeling for our kids," said second-year coach Mike Broderick. "Any time you can beat a school like Peabody with their long football tradition, it's special. The kids were estatic. It was great for the program and great for the community. There were a lot of people on the Saugus sidelines and a lot of happy people."
Reid directed an efficient offense in difficult conditions. The sophomore ran for 73 yards on 12 carries. But the star of the day was a senior, Rodney Lavoie, who ran for 186 yards on 35 carries.
And the last play, a loss of 2 yards?
"We practiced it," said Broderick. "But we haven't had many chances to do it in a game."
Thursday, they ran it to perfection.
There was one name missing from the chart in Thursday's paper detailing the state's all-time scoring leaders. Narragansett's David Canney finished his career last fall with 474 points, good enough for fifth on the all-time list. And last season Canney's 238 points led the state, making Sherr the first player to lead EMass in scoring three straight years. Canney, a freshman at Assumption, started at receiver for the Greyhounds . . . Clinton coach Archie Cataldi coached his last game yesterday, a 36-20 win over Maynard. For the 78-year-old Cataldi, the win was his 246th . . . Next fall Stoughton may be a key player in the Hockomock League. The Black Knights ended the season winning six straight, including a 12-8 win over North Attleboro. Junior Joe Jeudy rushed for 235 yards and four touchdowns in a 34-0 Thanksgiving win over Canton.
The Globe is looking for league all-star football teams. Fax teams to 617-929-2670 or email to HSsports@Globe.com. The Globe is also accepting All-Scholastic nominations from coaches. If you have a player you feel we should consider, let us know via email ASAP . . . The 18th Eastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire college football recuiting night is Dec. 12, 7-9 p.m., at the Tewksbury Country Club. Several East Coast colleges will be in attendance. All senior players are encouraged to attend.
