Thanksgiving 2012: Beverly hopes season of the ages continues vs. Salem

The Beverly Panthers (10-0, 4-0) are the victors of the Division 2A Cape Ann League/Northeastern Conference (CAL/NEC) after their 35-14 win over the Marblehead Magicians.The Salem Witches (4-6, 1-3) got off to a solid start before they faded down the stretch.There would be nothing better for the Witches than to end their season with a victory over Beverly to give the Panthers a bad taste as they head into the postseason.On the other side, Beverly is playing to win because it wants to continue its undefeated ride as well as get the upper hand in this rivalry.Beverly will host Salem in the 114th meeting between the schools on Thanksgiving.Beverly has a plethora of offensive talent led by halfbacks Brendan Flaherty, Kenny Pierce, and Isiah White. The Panthers average 38.1 points per game while their defense has allowed two touchdowns in just three games this year.Quarterback Christian Dunston is the top player for the Witches. Dunston helped Salem get off to a 3-1 start before it lost five of its last six contests.He is a dual threat with the ability to gain yards on the ground and through the air. Despite Salem’s record, it lost many close games, including to Masconomet (23-8), who won the Division 1A CAL/NEC.The Witches fell to Lynn Classical (26-19), Swampscott (21-13), and Danvers (46-45) by one possession.The defeats to Lynn English (23-12) and Gloucester (28-19) were close. Salem also was the only other team besides Beverly to beat Marblehead. The Witches jumped out to a 27-7 advantage before Marblehead stormed back and took the lead in the fourth quarter at 34-27.Dunston connected with George Speliotis for a 25-yard score and then he completed a pass to top wide receiver Ben Kipnis on the ensuing two-point conversion to help Salem give the Magicians their first loss of the season at the time.The Panthers have only faced two deficits this year (Masconomet and Danvers) and they were both by one possession. They also rolled to wins over nonleague opponents such as Concord-Carlisle, Lynn Classical, Lynn English, Winthrop, and Peabody. Beverly’s 30-14 victory over Masconomet on Oct. 12 was its most critical win of the 2012 season.”Masconomet is a great team and this victory built a lot of confidence for our team,” said Beverly head coach Dan Bauer.These squads are very different on the offensive side of the ball.The biggest key will be how Beverly’s running game will fare against Salem’s defense. The Panthers will use multiple backs and they can run inside or outside.Beverly’s offensive line is one of the strongest units in Eastern Massachusetts, and will open holes for Flaherty, Pierce and White.Salem defenders have to clog the running lanes in their pursuit of the ball.”Their defense is physical and runs well to the ball,” explained Bauer. “Every yard will have to be earned.”Beverly’s defense has to limit the production of Dunston and the Witches’ ground attack with Aaron Palmer in the backfield.Bauer said, “Salem has great athletes. They have very good backs and a strong line.”Beverly will be playing its starters despite the risk of losing a key player and with the short rest before Tuesday’s playoff game against Burlington.”The game is more important than the record,” said Bauer. “We have been focused each week and not really looking at our record. This game has a great deal at stake, as it always does.”Tradition trumps everything else for both of these cities. This is the final year for Thanksgiving rivalries with the MIAA changing the postseason format next year. This could be the last time both of these squads play on Thanksgiving morning.”Many of our players have seen the game through the eyes of a grandparent, parent, relative, or neighbor,” said Bauer. “It is something they have dreamed about for many years.”