DISQUS

MassMiddleMan · 2 months ago

The whole Methuen team played with heart, intensity and desire - congratulation to Big Blue!!! they played a great - gutsy game and came out on top!!! Kudos to the coach who has minimal kids playing both ways - keeping kids fresh and more kids in the game - ready to play! Cal Carroll - Raudy - unbelievable!!!!

kjwright · 2 months ago

I would like to know their was so much emphasis
put on Cal Carroll for the Methuen Central victory?
It took the entire Methuen Rangers team to win this
game not just Cal. The defense team played very
well, yet the tribune only states A Carroll Classic.
I am dissapointed in the article, I would have like to
have seen more acknowledgement give to the entire team.

MassMiddleMan · 2 months ago

agreed - it puts Cal in a difficult situation - articles like this puts pressure on the individual athlete and makes it look like him hogging glory when nothing further could be the truth - - he is just not that type of individual

mayoayo · 2 months ago

Why does it not surprise me that all of the blog posts here this morning are excuses and complaints from "neutral" football fans? Sounds like you are either a) trying to relive your poor high school football days through your kid or B)sounds like a bunch of central parents who are upset that when they look into their bank account about $10,000 is missing for the same education you could have gotten in a public school. Uh oh. Too bad that these children have parents build excuses around them for everything - its really too bad. Complaining about the announcers? Really? What's next? Going to blame the people who are selling pizza and soda out front? Whether it be the refs, dirty play, or the announcers, you blind parents always amuse me. The beat goes on. Methuen wins. Write a sour grapes editorial for me about it.

latino2 · 2 months ago

mayoayo you wern't there, so you are just being bitter. about what, i am not sure. i saw it, the et blog saw it, and another person on this blog saw it. it really was the most pathetic, one sided reffing i've ever seen and it's not fair to any of the kids. but, it is sure to fire up dracut and central, so we will see how it all shakes out.

latino2 · 2 months ago

I was at that game and honestly, I don't think Methuen outplayed Central. There were alot of inconsitencies in the reffing particulary when a Methuen player took a swing at a CC player when the play was stopped and the refs called the penalty on CC because he pushed the Methuen player after he almost took a punch. At the end of the game the clock should never have stopped but it seemed like the kept stopping it at times they shouldn't have and as result, Methuen just kept pushing forward because the time was in theri favor. Had that clock ran, time would have ran out and they never would have scored that last touch down in the last few mins. This article doesn't mention how on a punt CC player's called fair ball, and although he missed he was being charged and was hit by a Methuen player but no penalty, again, was ever called. The worst reffed game I've ever seen.

MassMiddleMan · 2 months ago

Ok - as I read top to bottom now I am mad....look - you need to remember - some of your better players - THEY ARE FROM METHUEN - and your school - it leads the BIG SCHOOL CONFERENCE because you get to (A) recruit and (B) select from the whole merrimack valley -..... Methuen won because they played a more disciplined game (only big penalties were for delay of game - which, they need to work on!)
The clock - you need to see earlier posts - the field clock is not the offical time!
Why not just congratulate the winning team - and let it be at that....and, if you want to talk sportsmanship - - tell Coach A to keep his 'A' off the field!!! it is an infraction - and he simply ignored the refs asking him to move back -- the refs did a great job in not penalizing the kids for his continued ignorant behavior..

latino2 · 2 months ago

Just read the hs blog and apparently they was yet another out of bounds scuffle in which Methuen started yet CC got called on because as the officialsl put it 'the second one always gets caugth". So twice, Methuen gave a cheap shot and CC got penalized. It was a horrible game if you ask me. Those refs were certainly biased. And just one question, why does the Methuen announcer participate on the side of Methuen. Generally announcers tend to stay neutrel. First time I've seen that as well.

MassMiddleMan · 2 months ago

First of all - Announcers are HOME FIELD announcers - it is a matter of fact - and there is no problem with them being homies.....i go to many HS games - and that is just the way it is - it really does seem like sour grapes here.....

CCHS had a number of cheap shots on the sidelines on the methuen side that I saw - the refs let some of it go - on both sides - in almost all sports - the retaliator gets the call - it is called discipline....the reason methuen didn't get calls - is because they did not retaliate after CCHS cheap shots....

BTW - it happens in every foot ball game

latino2 · 2 months ago

Duh, it's football, of course it does. It just happens that along with everything else, Methuen never to called on it but Central did didn't they??

MassMiddleMan · 2 months ago

First - you, who doesn't know the clock rules are going to pull a 'Duh' on me!?!?

Second - as i said - it is called DISCIPLINE - you know - what you are paying the 10K for to get at CCHS...(i am a graduate of there)

CCHS retaliated - Methuen did not - the retaliator almost always gets called - in football and in basketball - - CCHS Retaliated = LACK of discipline and self control....Methuen did NOT retaliate = Discipline and self-control

In any sport - the loser can blame the refs, umps, etc....especially in HS - if they were perfect - they would be in the pros.....losers with class just move on - another trait they USED to teach at CCHS....

latino2 · 2 months ago

I saw them put their hands up in "defense", after taking a couple of cheap shots from Meth. if you call that retaliation, so be it. I suggest you get some "anger management" help because you are seriously going off the deep end. And as far as the clock goes, Meth scored in the last 4 seconds of a game in which the clock should have kept running but was stopped in certian instances.

MassMiddleMan · 2 months ago

Ok - you need to take a course on having some class - I JUST EXPLAINED - OFFICIAL TIME IS KEPT ON THE FIELD.....what part of that do you not understand??? The clock you see is IRRELEVANT!!!! The ref with the white hat is responsible for the official time....Last time I checked - they didn't switch ref crews when Methuen had the ball - both teams had the same crew......or - is there a conspiracy theory that they were out for central?? You lost - get over it - it is just a game......the kids played great - STOP making excuses. It’s a shame - you lost on the field - and now you are acting like a loser in life with all of this dribble....

latino2 · 2 months ago

You keep twisiting this, I have never never ever said they didn't play
great, I have been hammering away at the inconisistencie in reffing and I
hold my stand. And remember the ohter team was AHEAD until the last 7
seconds. And considering the whole clock issue, somehting stinks. You
need to calm down, and stop creating issues in regards to class, tuition,
etc. This is about really bad officiating, end of story, get a life, and get
some help for your insane anger.

MassMiddleMan · 2 months ago

Sorry - I am not angry - you are the one who thinks the refs are out to get you....
Bad officiating is never bad for one side - if they are bad - they are bad....i can tell
You that on the Methuen side - there were a number of moans and groans.
BTW - I only responded to YOUR post - you know, the one you logged into - to complain
About the unfairness of the refs at the game - - you know - vs. congratulating the other team.
BTW - I am not angry - because - METHUEN WON! I am disappointed that a parent from CCHS would
Log in to this article and complain about the refs - as if that is what lost the game. And in this
Post - you say 'something stinks' ----why don't you complain to MIAA - so THEY can tell you that
Official time is kept ON THE FIELD and that the clock you see is meaningless in deciding when the
Periods end! Clearly - you asked for the rules - I told you how it works - and now you have a
Conspiracy theory as to 'something stinks' -- want to think again about who needs to get a life!

why123 · 2 months ago

wow you really are retarded mass middleman....methuen never got a penalty central did when one of your players punched ours and our player didnt do anything that is discipline he just walked away and we got the penalty....you guys have no discipline driving into our parkinglot and start yelling stufff and talking trash...obviously the parents of those football players have no discipline....so if i was you i would shut up...and we didnt cheap shot we play hard to the whistle that was the first game we got a personal foul against us this year, and im sure methuen has had alot so do your research pal...

MassMiddleMan · 2 months ago

Nice language....The game is played on the field. The result speaks for themselves. It was a chippy game on both sides. Both sides played hard. The woman writing complained about things she had no idea about. On the parking lot stuff, it was wrong to do that. Agreed. Off field stuff like that is uncalled for.

However, let us look at your coach - ignoring the rules and being out on the field almost the entire second half. He should have been flagged - and he wasn't. The refs did a good job not penalizing you for his actions. By its own actions -it does not show a sense of discipline - in fact a lack of discipline - and/or a blatant disregard for the rules.

There was pushing and shoving by both sides - what you call playing hard - I could call a cheap shot - and vice versa. It is part of the game. The refs called it the way they saw it - and in the end - they are the same for both sides. If you don't know how many Methuen has - why are you assuming they had a lot???? Who needs to do the research. I never claimed you guys had a lot....but the refs did not lose the game for you. Two mishandled punts could be blamed....if Methuen lost - it could have been that there were a number of bad snaps.....the results stand - and latino2 should just have said that both teams played hard - which they did.

Lastly - using the word retarded - not a nice thing to do. You have no idea who has what issues in their family. Show respect.

why123 · 2 months ago

Both team did play hard but we played hard to the whistle...methuen players arent disciplined and you call us undisciplined...the parents of the parents must not have any discipline at all for not teaching it to their kids....but its ok you guys won but it sure isnt because you are better than us....

Tim Maslbas · 2 months ago

Sounds like sour grapes if you ask me.

latino2 · 2 months ago

LOL. Actually, I was there as a neutrel party for certian reasons. So, not to sound like sour grapes let me say one thing that all Methuen fans love to hear, "cal is great". Now, with that said, how can you explain the end of the game in which CC was ahead 12-10, there was 23 secconds lieft, the clock should not have STOPPED, but 5 minutes later, game was still going as Methuen advanced and eventually scored. Had the game been played fairly, they would never had scored that findal TD, they didn't deserve it. Sure, Cal is good, made some great plays, Methuen def had some great plays, but that officiating is what called it right to the end, and I really hate seeing that.

mwest72 · 2 months ago

Ok, Central parents and fans, stop using neutral because we're not stupid, we know who you are. To say that Methuen kept taking swings at your kids is bull. There were just as many plays that the Raiders out of frustration did it as well. Stop trying to label us public school kids as punks who start all the fights because we're not. Stop blaming the refs for one of the greatest comebacks in MVC history, because I believe the Rangers did that themselves. And the lack of defense on your side too. Also, please dont say ANYTHING about Cal, who we love to call great, because he is. I dont mean to get off topic, but to see that $10,000 cant even buy you a pep band to come to the games, is hilarious ! The Methuen band at almost 100 strong comes out there and does well every time. And to the Central head coach: Thanks for letting them play during the game this year, much better than you getting upset last year and making them stop, because we all know, they added momentum to that victory. I know public school isn't for everyone, but it's time for CCHS to realize, Methuen is an awesome school, sending kids to great colleges every year. So stop thinking you're so much better than us because you pay $10,000 for your kid to go to high school to get the same education ! GO BIG BLUE!

latino2 · 2 months ago

No one is knocking Metheun Schools, you need to calm down. This is about what happended at the game last night. It is what it is, we all saw it. Methuen has great team after a very long losing streak, it doens't stop the facts as I have earlier presneted. Were you aware that some Methuen students drove to Central after school on Friday blaring horns and yelling. I won't even go into that, this is what I've been told and yes that really happened too.

why123 · 2 months ago

Ok kid what ever you say i know who you are you mwest you are Ryan Barry...It wasnt the greatest comeback in M.V.C history. because how about when central faced dracut we were down 14-0 and we came back to beat them 25-21 so you should shut up because you sound really stupid. And you dont really go to better colleges you have kids going to northernessexs communtiy college, we have kids going to wakeforest,and harvard...

mwest72 · 1 month ago

why123, you are not as clever as you think you are. Re-read my post. I said ONE OF the greatest comebacks in MVC history, not the greatest. Also I said Methuen sends kids to great colleges. I did NOT say Methuen sends kids to BETTER colleges than CCHS. I am a former member of the Methuen Ranger Band, with a younger sibling in last year's band, a Methuen High graduate and attending UMass Lowell. My point was, and I admit I went off the subject of the football game, was that you don't need to spend $40,000 on high school to be successful in life, and no person is any better than another because their parents are paying for high school.

MassMiddleMan · 2 months ago

You cannot look at the clock at MHS - the guy running it is never in synch with the field clock - - official time is kept on the field. That is why you see the clock running when it shouldn't be - if you look - the official timekeeper is trying to get the clock you see in synch with the official time on the field.

skcat · 2 months ago

Methuen may have a good team but please get your facts straight. Dracut and Methuen are tied with almost identical records. Methuen has beat Haverhill and Tewksbury for 4 points and Lowell, Central, and Andover for 3 points. They have a total of 7 points. Dracut beat Lawrence and Tewksbury for 4 points and Lowell, Chelmsford and Andover for 3 points. They have a total of 7 points. Methuen should be congratulated on its victory over Central, but it appears that first and second place finisher in the MVC Small will not be decided until Thanksgiving. Methuen took a victory from Dracut, by being the better team last Thanksgiving, but I am sure that the Dracut players have not forgotten and may be looking for some payback. Either way both teams are having great years. If all players stay healthy this Thanksgiving Day Game may be the best yet. It certainly offers both teams the most to play for. Good luck to both teams.

politicalmadman · 2 months ago

No, I was there too and the ref's blew four calls. Latino is right about the refs. Terrible calls at that point in the game. They blew an interference call on Methuen in the end zone. They blew the interference call on the last drive, they blew the personal foul call, I was standing right there when the Methuen kid punched at the Central kid, who pushed him away, and they penanlized the Central kid. On that play, you call BOTH , or none at all.
I have no favorites and just love to see a great game, but when the refs are the deciding factor, it takes the steam out of the kids.
Methuen did play a great game, and Central made some stupid mistakes. Even with the bad calls, Central blew it and could have won the game.

MassMiddleMan · 2 months ago

Refs were not a deciding factor - I was there and they had missed calls on both sides....also - they should have penalized CCHS for having the coaches on the field - and they would not get off - this is a foul as well and they LIVED on the field the whole fourth quarter!!!

politicalmadman · 2 months ago

Most caoches do live on the field- kind of like being in the play so to speak.

A.Lincoln · 2 months ago

Congrats to the Ranger players, who overcame the timid play calling of their coach, to defeat a very well coached Central team.

latino2 · 2 months ago

Can someone explain to me exactly what the rule is in regards to the clock once there is two minutes left in the game? Thanks

A.Lincoln · 2 months ago

Clock only stops when there is a foul, first down, incomplete forward pass, change of possession, score, or what's called an administrative stoppage, I think.

latino2 · 2 months ago

so, pretty sure now there was time during the last two minutes that the clock should have been running at it clearly was not. thank you.

MassMiddleMan · 2 months ago

Can you say - poor loser....

I mean honestly

MassMiddleMan · 2 months ago

Clock stops at 2 minutes. clock stops when runner goes ou of bounds or on an incomplete pass.

The problem with the clock last night is that the guy running the clock was out of synch with the refs on the field. The official time is kept on the field and they manage the game - from time to time they would point to the guy running the clock to catch up with the time on the field.

mark shepherd · 2 months ago

latino2, I am sorry. I've read your posts all day and I have to say, you are ignorant. I was at the game, as I have for each of the Methuen games over the past 4 years. Are there bad calls or missed calls? Of course there are. In this case, what we had were two very equal teams beating each others heads in all game long. In the end, Methuen came out on top. End of story. I was standing 30' from the end zone on that "blown pass interference call" and I watched as both refs, who clearly saw the play, looked at one another and they both acknowledged that they did not feel there was a penalty. It has happened to Methuen any number of times, this year and in years past.
On the "Blown" call with the fair catch. The Methuen kid was blocked into the CC punt returner. The returner failed to make the catch, even though his hands were on the ball. No penalty for that, like it or not. Thats the rule and I overheard the official state this to the CC bench.
As for the clock stoppage; every time there is a first down in high school football, the clock is stopped while the ball is set and the chains are moved. Once everything is set, the whistle is blown and the clock begins again. Know your rules before you start to cry about it. Sounds like sour grapes to me and all the other Methuen fans and parents reading your posts.
As for CC coaches, they were not only on the field all night, but well into the field of play and should have been flagged for this. They were not. I watched many instances where a CC kid pushed or punched a Methuen kid after the play stopped. It happened both ways, and thats football.
As for the kid getting flagged for retailiating!!! OMG, are you kidding. What the ref explained was in response to the coach saying his kid only retailiated to getting hit first. The ref was stating that they did not see the first hit, only the one in which the CC player hit the Methuen kid. DISCIPLINE and that never happens. Get over it and lose with dignity, please. You lost on all counts, both on the field and in these blogs. Instead of congratulating the CC kids for a game well played, this is what you do. Hope you don't have a kid playing, because if you do, your teaching him all the wrong things. Move on.

396 · 2 months ago

after watching this game it's clear these are two pretty good teams well coached and they both play hard nose football. if these teams were to play ten games with each other they would split five and five. so please don't say there were bad calls toward central or methuen it was a great game and for that night the better team won. good luck to both of them the rest of the way.

jimsoxfan · 2 months ago

A few things:
1.) That was pass interference at the end of the first half. The Methuen defender had his back turned to the play and made contact with the receiver before the ball reached him.
2.) Time is kept by the officals on the field. The time on the scoreboard is not the official time. Also, the clock stops after a first down to reset the chains.
3.) The Central fans crying about Methuen being too physical should relax. It's football. Also, nobody is talking about the kid from Central who was taking swings after the play and taunting the Methuen crowd when his team was ahead. I won't mention names, but let's just say he dropped a punt late in the game that could have been a deciding factor.
4.) Whether or not that was pass interference late in the game, the real mistake was the fact that the Methuen receiver caught that ball in bounds when they called in an incomplete pass. That was the real mistake by the officials. Check out the photo in the E-T on Saturday. He was in there with possession.
5.) Everyone needs to quit crying. Central has had its share of calls in this rivalry. Quit crying and move on and try and win the MVC large, then go dominate in hoops.

kjwright · 2 months ago

Sure Cal is a good athlete and I can recall a play that without his second and third effort the game could have ended differently. But the defense kept Central to a mere 12 points while being backed up in deep in their enf for most of the game, due to an ineffective offense. But in the end the offensive line pulled it togther and never gave up and their tired defense held tight. To me it sounds like an overwhelming TEAM EFFORT. Not just a 1 or 2 man show as posted in the paper.

MassMiddleMan · 2 months ago

This is the problem with news reporting on football - if there is a strong offensive performance - the defense is overlooked - totally agree with your comments