Taking a look at some of the under the radar top performers from last weekend’s high school football action:
GRAEME DINEEN
Essex Tech Senior
Tight end/Outside linebacker
It was an historic victory for the Essex Tech football program Friday night, and senior Graeme Dineen had a huge role in making it happen.
The Hawks defeated Cape Ann League powerhouse Pentucket for the first time ever, and avenged last season’s loss in the process. Essex Tech dominated the line of scrimmage for most of the night with Dineen, who lines up as a blocking tight end, helping seal the edge as the Hawks rushed for 271 yards to control the clock and keep Pentucket’s big-play capable offense on the sidelines.
“Graeme is a workhorse,” said head coach Tim Freiermuth, who defeated his alma mater for the first time as well. “He gave us an unbelievable effort and has a motor that never stops.”
Dineen forced a fumble that Essex Tech recovered for one of three key turnovers in the win. He also finished the night with seven tackles and helped his team get some key third down stops that preventing the Panthers from coming all the way back after trailing 21-0 in the second half.
Winners of two of their last three, Dineen and the Hawks will look to even their record this Friday when they host Hamilton-Wenham in Hathorne.
JACK SMITH
Peabody Junior
Wide receiver/Defensive back
Playing with a short memory and a ‘What’s Next’ mentality helped junior Jack Smith make a big impact for the Peabody High football team last Friday night against undefeated Marblehead.
Smith had two of the bigger plays of the first half, helping set up one of his team’s touchdowns while also having a hand in one of the two turnovers the Tanners forced in the opening 24 minutes. Though they ultimately fell when Marblehead rattled off 21 unanswered points, it was a one point game at halftime and tied in the third quarter.
In the final minute of the first half, Marblehead connected for a 50 yard completion over the top to set up first and goal. Undaunted by the big gainer, Smith pounced when teammate Gabe Casiano punched the ball loose, recovering a fumble that took point off the board for the Magicians.
“We talk all the time about the next play. If you get beat, don’t hang your head, make the next play. That’s what Jack did,” head coach Mark Bettencourt said.
Smith also had a bigger role on offense due to a couple of injuries and shined. On a 4th-and-4 play, he ran a great comeback route for the first down, then shook off a tackle and wound up with a 21 yard gain that set up Peabody’s first score and a 7-0 lead. On the night, Smith lead the Tanners in receiving yards with 34 on four catches.
TYE PIRIANO
Bishop Fenwick Senior
Left tackle/Defensive end
The Crusaders had a difficult task ahead of them last Friday night on their home turf, Donaldson Field: find a way to take out one of the state’s top programs, their Catholic Central League rivals from Bishop Feehan. Piriano did his best to try and make that happen.
Although Bishop Fenwick ultimately lost a nailbiter to the once-beaten Shamrocks, 35-30, it was the efforts of players like Piriano who nearly helped the hosts pull off a major upset. As a team captain and two-way lineman, the 6-foot, 235-pounder rarely left the field for a breather and kept his motor running hot for the entirety of the contest.
Piriano graded out at 92 percent on the game film while going up against an excellent Feehan defensive front. In doing so he helped the Crusaders pile up nearly 400 yards of offense — including 303 through the air, thanks to his strong pass protection — and scored three fourth quarter touchdowns to take a two-point lead late before the visitors responded with the final TD of the evening.
The Gloucester native and three-year starter also made some big stops on the defensive line, and according to head coach David Woods has been Fenwick’s “anchor on both the O-line and D-line all season.”
Still ranked among the upper half of teams in the Division 6 power rankings, Fenwick (2-4) looks to break back into the win column this weekend against another CCL foe at home when they take on Cathedral at 7 p.m.