SAUGUS — Quarterback Matt Talbot ran for 116 yards and two touchdowns as Amesbury kept pace with Newburyport at the top of the CAL/NEC (Division 3), with a 29-19 win over Saugus on Saturday afternoon at Stackpole Field.

Amesbury (7-2, 3-0) plays at Pentucket next week, while Newburyport (3-0 CAL/NEC) faces off against Winthrop, before the squads meet on Thanksgiving, in what could be a battle for the league championship.