Not too long ago, the Saugus football team was the one trying to pull off the upset of a big-time opponent. But now the tables have turned.The Sachems finished last season hot and have carried that momentum right into this season. After losing to Newburyport on opening night, Saugus has played as consistently as any team in the Northeastern Conference so far.Last Saturday at Stackpole Field, the Sachems did something that hadn’t been done in a generation – beat Winthrop on home soil.Quarterback Bret Reid engineered an offense that ate up the clock against the defending Division 2A Super Bowl champions and led to a 14-7 win over the Vikings.Now with that landmark win behind them, the Sachems have another tough challenge in front of them on Saturday.Beverly has struggled at times this season, but the Panthers were many people’s favorite to win the NEC South division when the season started and with a 34-6 win over Danvers last week, they started conference play on the right foot. Beverly’s talent has the attention of Saugus coach Mike Broderick.”Beverly is good. Real good. We have to be sound and keep them in check,” Broderick said. “They don’t make a lot of mistakes and we’re going to have to play well to beat them.”The Panthers have not only one of the top backs in the NEC in Greg Pierce, but a pretty good back-up in Rashad Sims, who has gradually worked his way into a steady rotation for coach Dan Bauer.Last week against the Falcons, Sims had his coming-out party as he ran for a pair of 14-yard touchdowns and a 49-yarder. Pierce, for his part, added a 38-yard TD and quarterback Mark Theriault threw a touchdown pass to Pat Abate.”Those two backs are tough,” Broderick said. “We knew Pierce was going to be tough, but with the emergence of Sims, that gives us another problem.”For their part, the Sachems also can provide a headache to opposing defensive coordinators.Reid is the triggerman for the Saugus attack and did most of the damage against Winthrop last week, but the Sachems aren’t a one-man band.Running backs Gilson Fernandes, Mike Dean and Nick Ortega have given Saugus a consistent running game behind an offensive line led by Anthony Barrasso, Andrew McDermott and Paul Sullivan.”Gilson gives us a lot of speed and Bret has done a great job for us. He’s only a junior but he plays beyond his years,” Broderick said.One thing that might play in the Panthers’ favor is one of the best homefield advantages on the North Shore at Hurd Stadium.”I’m sure they will have a good crowd at their place,” Broderick said. “Our kids have paid their dues and taken their lumps and I’m happy with the way things are going.”Other gamesTech at Gr. LowellAt Lawrence (1:30), the unbeaten Tigers (3-0) have been one of the pleasant surprises in the first half of the season.Last Saturday, Tech was in a fight against Northeast Regional for three quarters before the Tiger offense exploded for 16 fourth-quarter points in a 24-8 win over the Golden Knights. Otis Green had 77 yards and a touchdown while quarterback Jose Rios threw a touchdown pass to Jake Canty to give Tech a lead it never relinquished.Williams at St. Mary’sAt Manning Field (4), the Spartans (1-5, 0-1 Catholic Central League) played well in last week’s 29-8 loss to Arlington Catholic but couldn’t punch one in the end zone until the final seconds of the contest.Kwesi Foster led the St. Mary’s offense with 29 carries for 85 yards.