LYNN ? It was a positive ending to a tumultuous year for the Lynn Tech Tigers on Wednesday night at Manning Field, where the Tigers defeated the St. Mary’s Spartans 16-6 in the teams’ annual Thanksgiving Eve clash.The victory improved Tech’s record to 4-7 (1-3 in the Commonwealth Conference/Large), and prevented the Tigers from finishing the year on a four-game losing streak.To add to the difficulties of the season, Tech lost 13 players from its opening-day roster for various reasons. The Tigers finished the season with only 26 players dressing against St. Mary’s.However, through it all, the Tigers remained tough. Players stepped up into key roles, perhaps none more so than junior Ryan Murphy.Murphy, in his first season playing football, started the year at guard but was shifted to running back for Tech’s Nov. 8 loss at Shawsheen, 10-8. In that contest, Murphy led the Tigers with 18 carries for 58 yards and a touchdown.Against St. Mary’s, Murphy again did much of the heavy lifting for the Tigers. He carried 17 times for 82 yards, including two key first downs at the end of the contest. He scored Tech’s second touchdown on a three-yard rush just before halftime to give the Tigers a 14-0 lead, and also recorded the two-point conversion on the initial Tiger touchdown. Furthermore, he was named Player of the Game for the Tigers, and was also given the T. O’Connor Award by Tech for his defensive exploits.Murphy sealed the win for Tech with just over two minutes left, intercepting a Spartan pass inside the Tech 10-yard line on second-and-goal.The stop was one of many key defensive plays for Tech during the contest, as the Tigers stepped up time and again to stop the Spartan offense. Despite being out-gained by St. Mary’s 187-129, the Tigers prevailed where it counts-the scoreboard.Murphy said the switch to running back has been an interesting endeavor for him in his first year of organized football.”I’ve just been playing everywhere, trying to do everything,” he said. “This is my first year, and I’m getting used to everything.”He added that being able to get into the end zone has been a fun perk of his new duties.Tigers coach Gary Sverker said he decided to move Murphy to running back because of Murphy’s abilities.”He’s a great athlete-he’s big, strong, and he can run,” Sverker said. “He had a great year.”With the loss of so many players, Murphy wasn’t the only one who stepped in to fill the void. Quarterback duties were split between Dustin Rooney and Richie Warren, and other players filled in separate spots.Senior captain Anthony Gallo, who was given the Chub Fallon Award for his offensive performance, said the team rallied around itself for the St. Mary’s game, especially since it was the final time six Tiger seniors would see the field.”We came out to play,” Gallo said. “We were on a three-game losing streak, but we were ready to rock.”Those six seniors-Gallo, Anthony Coleman, Albert Porcher, Tim Chheang, Lorenzo Rivera and Wardell Barber-finish their careers with two straight wins over the Spartans following last season’s 38-0 thrashing.For St. Mary’s, the year was positive as well. After finishing last season 1-10, the Spartans improved to 5-6 this year under new coach Matt Durgin.At halftime, both schools announced results of their homecomings. For St. Mary’s, Andrea Idusayi was named homecoming queen over runners-up Shannon Reddy and Amanda Smalley.Tech’s Yulia Shebalina was named homecoming queen, with Tianny Marmolejas, Avriel Baiza and Anisha Valdez comprising the court. Philip Pereira was named homecoming king, along with court members Reginald Teah, Michael Donavan, Barber and Gallo.