Lynn Tech’s Steffan Gravely delivers a stiff arm to Northeast’s Alec Siose during Saturday’s game. Photo: Bob Roche
By Scot Cooper
WAKEFIELD — Those folks who were unhappy with the weather at Northeast Regional’s Breakheart Stadium Saturday morning did not include opposing coaches Don Heres of Northeast and James Runner of Lynn Tech.
The Golden Knights came out on top, 36-26, but Runner said the conditions were perfect as far as he was concerned. His team just made a few mistakes that really hurt.
“Coach Heres and I both love this kind of weather,”Runner said. “We both come out and run power football, (and) we both try to use the conditions to our advantage. Unfortunately, we didn’t get it done today, but overall, I have no problem with the effort of my team, they played hard the entire game, we just made a few mistakes that turned into big points for them.”
Tech coughed up ball five times Saturday morning, including mishandling two onside kicks, which resulted in four Golden Knight touchdowns. After stopping the home team cold on its first possession in the mud, Tech drove down the field, but fumbled on the Northeast 29.
Twelve plays later, Northeast’s Connor Joseph barreled in from the one, and the Golden Knights had the lead for good with 10:56 left in the second quarter.
The Knights then successfully executed an onside kick, and Scott Peary was in the end zone 58 seconds later. Peary added his second straight two-point conversion and Northeast was in high gear, 16-0.
The Lynn Tech fans finally had something to cheer about when junior Jamie James ran back a kickoff 56 yards to make it a 16-6 ballgame. The Knights responded with two more touchdowns to go up 30-6.
But Tech didn’t quit, even being down 24 points late in the first half. Steffan Gravely scored twice on the ground for the Tigers, but another muff led to a QB keeper by Northeast’s Anthony Sousa, and the home team was up 36-20 at the break.
The Tigers scored the only points in the second half on an 11-yard run by Keoni Gaskins. The conditions on the field got progressively worse because of the rain, and the Knights were able to hold on to a 10-point win.
In the fourth quarter, Northeast finally committed a turnover of its own, and Tech defensive lineman Brandon Lewis pounced on it at midfield.
Lewis received the Tech game ball from the coaching staff in honor of the late Rick Drislane, who was killed in an auto accident on Thanksgiving night, 1987. Lewis said he was very happy to receive the game ball Saturday.
“It’s an honor for me and my family, I’m very proud to be a member of the Lynn Tech football team, and I’m very grateful for the game ball today,” Lewis said.
On the other sideline, Peary picked up the game ball from his coaches, in honor of former Golden Knight Ed Rapucci, who also perished in an automobile accident.
“I’m very happy that the coaches chose me for the game ball, this means a lot to me, my mom, my dad, I’d just like to thank everyone associated with Northeast football,” Peary said.
Heres said he knew he was in for a battle, because the Tigers always play his team very hard.
“Every time we play Coach Runner and his team, it’s a tough game. You never know exactly what to expect from Tech, but you know every time, you’re in for a tough game, certainly,” Heres said. “The weather played a part today certainly, we were able to hold onto the ball, and unfortunately for them they lost a couple and we jumped when we got those chances.”
Runner said that his team would have to shake this one off and focus on the solid second half it played Saturday.
“We shut them out in the second half, I was pleased about that, these guys never quit, we just have to keep plugging,” Runner said. “I think this is a much better team than a lot of people realize, and I think we’ll surprise a few people down the road.”
Tech made the Division 4 North playoffs, and will travel No. 1 Brighton next weekend at a date, time and site to be announced.