Gloucester nets Masconomet

LYNN - When playing at home, Gloucester fans shout, "To the river," pleading for the Fishermen to buckle down and pound the ball down the opposing team's throat.

Even though they were playing at Manning Field yesterday, the Fishermen pushed Masconomet "to the river," ending the Chieftains' playoff run for the second straight year.

Gloucester scored 26 unanswered points and beat Masconomet, 26-7.

The Fishermen will play Duxbury in the Division 2A Super Bowl Saturday.

Gloucester used its rushing attack and strong defensive play in the second half to pull away.

Leading, 12-7, Gloucester's Marc Alves punched the ball out of Evan Bunker's arms on the first play of the second half.

"The defense really picked it up in the second half," said Gloucester coach Paul Ingram. "We knew if we came out and played physical, we'd be OK."

Gloucester recovered an ensuing fumble but was unable to score on the drive. The Fishermen forced a three-and-out, though, giving the offense the ball at its 45.

The Fishermen ran the ball nine times, the final one a 4-yard TD scamper by Ross Carlson. Carlson added the 2-point conversion rush and the lead swelled to 20-7.

"I had a great game, but I have to give the line credit," said Carlson, who gained 146 yards on the ground with two scores. "Without them, I wouldn't have been able to run."

Gloucester rushed for 284 yards, 60 more than Masconomet's total yardage. Conor Ressel added 92 yards on the ground and Taylor Burbine had 51 for the Fishermen.

After Masconomet failed to convert on fourth down at the Gloucester 25, the Chieftains stopped three straight Gloucester runs, but an illegal substitution gave the Fishermen a first down.

Two plays later, Ressel rumbled 58 yards to ice the game.

Things actually started out well for Masconomet. Early in the game, Chris Splinter broke down the sideline and outran the Gloucester defense for a 75-yard score.

"Splinter's long run put us in hole and [Masconomet] really came out hard," said Ingram. "But we were confident we would play better."

Gloucester responded with a 13-yard Carlson score in the first quarter to bring the Fishermen within 7-6; Carlson rushed for 70 yards on the 83-yard drive.

Masconomet appeared to add to its lead on the kickoff when Bunker burst up the sideline on an 82-yard run into the end zone, but a penalty nullified the score.

"[Masconomet] was tough," said Carlson. "Penalties killed them. The kick return could have turned that game."

After Robbie Lowe intercepted a Splinter pass, Gloucester took the lead for good, Ressel diving for a 1-yard touchdown.

Gloucester beat Hingham, 41-0, last year in the Super Bowl.

"Being there last year, it spoils you and you want to go back," said Ingram.