Not having two of their key players in the game didn’t bode well for the Clippers as David Freeman and Kyle LeBlanc were on the sidelines with injuries and did not play.

Pentucket scored on the first drive of the game after a great run back on the opening kickoff put the Sachems in excellent field position.

It was a frustrating game for the Clippers and the Clipper fans watching the game as Newburyport could march the ball down the field, but couldn’t find a way to advance or score on key 3rd and 4th play downs throughout the game, including a four play series at the one-yard line when they had a first and goal.

The icing on the cake for Pentucket was the 99-yard scoring drive that followed their goal line stop of the Clippers on the one-yard line. That was a game breaker for Newburyport.

Pentucket stopped the Clippers three different times when the Clippers had advanced the ball within the Pentucket 20 yard line. The Pentucket defense always came up with a big play and a big stop throughout the game when it mattered most.  This was the third straight shutout for the Pentucket team. That says a lot about their defense and their mindset.

As John Shimer’s article in the Daily News of Newburyport reports, the score didn’t reflect the actual closeness of the game. Newburyport could move the ball, but their inability to score or advance the ball when they were so close to scoring was the deciding factor in the game.

Next week the Newburyport faces off against Lynnfield (1-4) in a home game at World War Memorial Stadium in Newburyport.

You know that Fall is coming when you start seeing signs and advertisements for the upcoming Topsfield Fair. 

The Topsfield Fair, which goes back to 1818, is the oldest running agricultural fair in the country and is one of the largest and most popular fairs in Massachusetts.

This year the Topsfield Fair starts on Friday, October 3, 2008 and runs through Monday, October 13, 2008.  Entertainment at this year’s Fair will include the Royal Canadian Mounted Police equestrian team (October 3, 2008 through October 8, 2008) and a special appearance and show by Jeff Corwin on October 11, 2008 at 11:00 a.m.

The Topsfield Fair features a livestock arena, arts and crafts, handicrafts, a pie baking contest, the Beekeeping & Honey Show, live animals. The livestock arena will have horse and oxen pulling, a giant pumpkin contest, a draft horse show, and more. Live animal exhibits feature cattle, poultry, sheep, and rabbits.

Dates and Hours

Opening night for the Topsfield Fair is Friday, October 3, 2008. The gates open at 4:00 pm and the grounds are open until 10:00 p.m.  The regular hours for the Fair are from 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 4, 2008 through Monday, October 13, 2008.

TIcket Prices

You can save money on the price of admission to the fair by purchasing your tickets in advance. Advance ticket prices are $8. Bulk purchases of more than 100 tickets may be bought for $7 each.

Advance price for a three-day ticket is $21, and is good for any three days of the Topsfield Fair. Tickets for rides cost $19 for 11 tickets, if purchased in advance.

Regular tickets at the gate cost $10 on October 3, 2008 and October 6, 2008 through October 9, 2008. The weekend and holiday (October 10, 2008) price for the fair is $12.

The parking fee is $8. Children under 8 accompanied by a paying adult can enter the Topsfield Fair for free.

For more information on the schedule and entertainment, visit the Topsfield Fair website.

All games start at 7:00 pm and the weather conditions are pretty nice. Nice, cool and dry. Perfect high school football weather.

Newburyport vs Pentucket (at Newburyport)
Newburyport (0-4) is still looking for its first win of the season. Pentucket (2-1) lost a lot of players last year, but is still finding ways to win this year and has rebounded after an opening season loss. Newburyport looked good last week against North Andover. Pentucket won last year’s game in the last minute. Newburyport should be motivated tonight.

Triton vs Ipswich (at Ipswich)
Triton (1-1) had a bye week last week. It will be interesting to see how they respond this week after their hard fought, one point loss to Hamilton-Wenham on a gutsy call to go for a two-point conversion to try and win the game.

Amesbury vs Lawrence (at Amesbury)
Is Amesbury (3-0) the team to beat in the Cape Ann Small Division? So far this season, they have looked impressive. Lawrence is a team that has shown improvement this year. Amesbury’s tenacity may be the key factor in the game.

When

Yard Sale Alert: If you love yard sales, you should stop by the SeabrookRecreation Center tomorrow for the Seabrook Lions Club’s annual Yard Sale.

The event runs from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Center’s parking lot, and buyers and sellers are welcome the day of the event.

There is no admission fee for those looking for bargains.

If you want to sell at the yard sale and have a table to set up (no tables are available at the site), the cost to participate in the Yard Sale is $15 for a space about the size of a parking space.

When

Okay, all you chili lovers!

Here is your chance to sample a wide range of chili from local restaurants and individual chili-aficionados, and also help support local area food pantries. On Saturday, October 18th from Noon to 3:00 pm, make sure you stop by the Chili Con-Carnival that is being held in the parking lot of the Grog Restaurant in downtown Newburyport.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the following local food pantries:

• Our Neighbor’s Table in Amesbury
• The Pettengill House in Salisbury
• Community Services of Newburyport

Representatives of these local agencies will be present at the cook-off to provide information about their services and to accept direct donations.

In addition to the great chili, the Chili Con-Carnival will feature live music and raffles.

Have a special chili recipe? Restaurants & individual chili-aficionados are welcome to join the competition. There is no entry fee. Please contact the Grog at 978 465-8008 or stop by the Grog to pick up an entry form.

Panel of Judges

Judging will begin at 11:30 am. The competition will be judged by Richard Eaton, president of the Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank; Frank Cousins, Essex County sheriff; Thomas Howard, Newburyport City Marshall; John Macone, editor of The Daily News; and Ann Ormond, president of The Greater Newburyport Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

In addition to the official judging, everyone attending the cook-off will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite chili.

When

The next meeting of the Salisbury Coastal Trails group is scheduled for Thursday, November 6th at 7:00 p.m. in Salisbury Town Hall.

At the most recent meeting on September 18th, updates were provided on the status of several rail trail projects, including completing the Salisbury Point Ghost Trail from Cushing Street to Lion’s Park, and the design of the proposed Old Eastern Marsh Trail to be built by the Massachusetts State Highway Department.

The Coastal Trails Coalition (CTC)is a non-profit organization advocating for the Coastal Trails Network, a 30-mile public system of bicycle and pedestrian trails linking the communities of Amesbury, Newbury, Newburyport and Salisbury.

We may be able to add famous athletes to the list of actors and actresses in a few weeks if the latest rumor out of Gloucester pans out.

According to an article by Matt Langone in the Gloucester Daily News, rumors are swirling about in Gloucester and the professional bicycling community that Lance Armstrong, seven-time Tour de France winner, may race in the Grand Prix of Gloucester on October 11th and 12th.

The Gran Prix of Gloucester is a world class professional bicycling race. If you want to see world class bicycle racing on the North Shore, then make plans to visit Gloucester on Saturday & Sunday, October 10th and 11th and watch the action in the 10th anniversary running of  the 2008 Erdinger Gran Prix of Gloucester.

Most high school field hockey games are played in the late afternoons after school so it is often difficult for many working adults to attend and see these games.

Tonight two of the local River Rival high school field hockey teams are playing under the lights.

North Reading at Newburyport (6:45 pm start), World War Memorial Stadium, Newburyport

The Newburyport girls field hockey team is off to one of its best starts in several years. They have played well defensively as a team, led by their core group of seniors.

Tonight they take on North Reading at World War Memorial Stadium which is located behind the high school in Newburyport. The game is scheduled to start at 6:45 pm.

For more information about the Newburyport High School girl’s field hockey team, read Evan Mugford’s article in the Daily News of Newburyport.

Ipswich at Amesbury (7:00 pm start), Amesbury Sports Park, Amesbury

The Amesbury girls field hockey team (3-5-1) is getting back on track again after a recent three-game slide and just recently tied a strong Lynnfield team, 2-2.

Tonight they take on Ipswich at Amesbury Sports Parkwhich is located at 12 Hunt Road in Amesbury. The game is scheduled to start at 7:00 pm.

For more information about the Amesbury High School girl’s field hockey team, read Evan Mugford’s article in the Daily News of Newburyport.

When

The West Newbury Page School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) will hold its 19th Annual Apple Harvest Run fundraiser event for the John C. Page Elementary School on Sunday, October 5th.

The Apple Harvest Run is a wonderful family event with races for all levels of ability. This North Shore Event draws most of its runners from the metro Boston area, the North Shore, and surrounding region.

The 5 Mile Course is USATF (USA Track and Field) Certified. Proceeds from the Road Race will benefit the educational programs at the Dr. John C. Page Elementary School in West Newbury, Massachusetts.

Directions:
The Apple Harvest Run starts at the Action Cove Playground located on Bachelor Street, West Newbury. Take Route 95 to exit 57, take Route 113 West, and turn left onto Bachelor Street.

Events:
The Apple Harvest Run includes the following events:

• 1 Mile Fun Run - Starts at 12:00 PM (Noon)
• 5 Mile Run -  Starts at 12:30 PM
• 2 Mile Health Walk -  12:40 PM

Warm up exercises for all participants will begin at 11:30 a.m.

Entertainment and Refreshment:
Live music will be provided by the West Newbury School of Music. Delicious home baked goods will be offered by the West Newbury PTO and various sponsors. Loads of prizes will be awarded and other raffles to enter.

Registration:

You can sign up and register for the Apple Harvest Run at the West Newbury PTO Apple Harvest Run website.

If you register by September 17th, you’ll have a chance to win a Mountain Bike that has been donated by Riverside Cycles of Newburyport. 

FREE Apple Harvest Run T-SHIRTS wil be given to the first 500 entrants (preferred t-shirt sizes available on first register, first serve basis).

Tryouts will be held in mid-October.

To register or ask questions, please e-mail pentucketbasketball@comcast.net by October 10th with your child’s name, gender, grade and phone number.