RallyNorth.net

Power Players, September 17, 2007

Every Monday RallyNorth.net will salute bone-crunching linebackers, elusive running backs, immovable linemen and rocket-armed quarterbacks from the 37 area high school football teams. We've dubbed them Power Players and you won't want to miss who the best and the brighest were from the weekend's schoolboy gridiron action.

Mike Morander, Andover: There were plenty of gasps on the field when Andover wide receiver Mike Morander took a shot to the head after failing to come up with a pass. But Morander shook off the hit and emerged as a key weapon in Andover's new wide-open shotgun offense. The 6-foot, 185-pounder caught four passes for 122 yards and touchdowns of 36 and 50 yards in the Golden Warriors' 35-20 loss to BC High.

Greg Pierce, Beverly: The senior co-captain had a school record 98-yard touchdown run among his 214 rushing yards in the Panthers' 18-13 loss at Lynn Classical. He also had a 65-yard TD run.

Bobby Tarr, Bishop Fenwick: The senior back amassed his 10th straight 200-yard plus rushing game (dating back to last season), running for 212 yards and four touchdowns as Fenwick blasted Bishop Connolly, 46-14. Tarr has eight TDs in two games this season.

Andrew Fulford, Gloucester: Fulford did a little bit of everything in the Fishermen's 48-15 win over Marblehead. The senior rushed for 88 yards and three touchdowns and also took a 41-yard interception return back for a score to propel Gloucester to the big win.

Nate Adames, Greater Lawrence Tech: Nate Adames proved to be an all-terrain vehicle on the wet soggy turf in West Andover, rushing for 246 yards on just 16 carries in the Reggies' 33-13 win over Georgetown. The 5-foot-10 senior tailback ripped off scoring jaunts of 80, 43 and 4 yards to help lift Greater Lawrence (2-0) to its best start in recent years.

Nate Masterson, Hamilton-Wenham: The Generals running back and linebacker scored all 16 of his team's points with two rushing touchdowns, an extra point and a 40-yard field goal in a 16-13 win over North Andover.

Alex Theodosi, Londonderry: There was no surprise when Alex Theodosi carried the first few plays of the game for Londonderry, but he kept on going, carrying all seven times in an opening 66-play drive, then seven of the next nine plays and 43 times overall as the Lancers shocked Salem 31-14. Theodosi also had quality runs, including a 48-yarder, and finished with four touchdowns and 250 yards.

Manchester Essex offense: The Hornets were silenced for the first 40 minutes of the game against Lynnfield on Saturday night. But wideout Sam Cohen caught two touchdown passes in the final four minutes for the Hornets, tying the game at 14-14 and sending it into overtime, where Manchester Essex prevailed 21-14. Cohen caught seven passes on the night for 176 yards.

Taariq Allen, Marblehead: The sophomore wideout showed his blazing speed in catching five passes for 81 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown pass, in a loss to powerful Gloucester.

T.C. Mannetta, Masconomet: The senior captain scored the game-breaking touchdown on a 36-yard run and excelled defensively in Chieftains' 24-0 win over Oliver Ames.

Nate Bunnell, Pentucket: A burly fullback, Bunnell touched the ball just five times | but scored on four of them, finishing with 138 yards rushing in a 48-6 win over Ipswich.

Mike Crupi, Pinkerton: Pinkerton needed a shift in momentum after allowing two quick touchdowns in the first quarter. And Mike Crupi helped lead a defensive front that halted Manchester West four times from the 4-yard line midway through the second quarter. He paced the Astros with five tackles and rushed for 54 yards on 12 carries in Pinkerton's 16-14 win over West.

Tyler Mason and Billy Buttner, Salem (Mass.): The defensive duo had starring roles for the Witches, who went to Connecticut and upset Fitch High, 24-21. Each registered 10 tackles while Mason had a fourth quarter interception to seal the victory. Buttner added two quarterback sacks.

St. John's Prep defense: Posted back-to-back shutouts to open the season for the first time in over 50 years in beat Central Catholic at Lawrence Veterans Stadium, 12-0. The Eagles held the hosts to just 133 yards of total offense.

Derek Furey, Timberlane: Timberlane sophomore Derek Furey found the end zone four times in the Owls' 42-27 loss to Bishop Guertin. Furey rushed 13 times for 130 yards and caught three passes for 66 yards to produce nearly 200 yards of offense for the Owls.