GEORGETOWN — When you're looking for your first winning season since 1992, there are going to be growing pains.
That much was evident for Marblehead on Saturday as the visiting Magicians dropped a 28-14 decision to Georgetown that was at times sloppy and entirely frustrating.
"This was not a good day. Not a good day," said Magicians (2-2) coach Doug Chernovetz, whose squad lost for the second straight week.
The Magicians forced three turnovers and blocked a punt — game-changing plays that should've turned the tide their way. But Marblehead also gave the ball away four times, and it cost them dearly.
"We're searching for an identity" Chernovetz said. "We created one with some of those plays, but we have to do it on both sides of the ball. And we can not turn it over."
If there was a Heisman Trophy for high school players, Georgetown quarterback Joe Esposito would be on the watch list. The senior ran for 221 yards Saturday and touchdowns of 52, 70 and 19 yards. For good measure, he tossed a TD pass and made a backbreaking interception on defense. If that wasn't enough, he also nailed all four extra points.
"He's an unbelievable player. We leaned on him and he did a fantastic job," said Royals (3-0) coach Matt Bouchard, a 1996 Salem High School grad.
The Magicians were trying to come from behind without junior quarterback Hayes Richardson, who was sidelined with a knee injury early in the second quarter. Senior Ian McKinley (8-for-23, 104 yards) filled in admirably and Chernovetz expects to know more about Richardson's condition early this week.
Despite being slashed by Esposito's speed and precision option execution, the Magicians had a chance to win the game. Three times in the first half alone their "D" held the unbeaten Royals scoreless inside their own 10-yard line.
The first was a fumble that Nick Haller returned 92 yards for the tying points, the second another fumble and the third a stop on downs just before halftime.
Each time Marblehead made a big play, though, they shot themselves in the foot. They lost a fumble early in the second half, and this time Esposito found Tyran Harrigan in the back of the end zone for six to make it 21-7.
"That was huge," said Bouchard. "You look at an average team versus a pretty good team, and the difference is who responds. We responded well."
McKinley hooked up with Taariq Allen for a 42-yard gain that put Marblehead on the doorstep. But Evan Comeau lost the ball on his way into the end zone and the Royals recovered in stomach-punching fashion.
The Magicians had another trick: a blocked punt that set up McKinley's 1-yard TD sneak that closed the gap to 21-14. After forcing a three-and-out, Marblehead was driving when Esposito cut it short with his pick. Haller picked off a halfback option pass on the next play, but the Magicians couldn't tie it up
Cue Esposito's final, clutch TD scamper. After 40 minutes of punch-counter punch football, the Royals finally landed the knock-out blow.
"This is two weeks in a row I've been very disappointed in the way we've come out to play football," said Chernovetz. "That's my fault for not preparing us."
