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2008 Power Players, Week 1

Pedro Cruz, Lawrence: The senior two-way tackle came up huge when it counted with a sack and a pair of pressures as the Lancers turned two Malden attempts at the game-winning score away in the fourth quarter. Cruz, a star wrestler in the winter, finished with eight tackles.

Alex Lambert, Londonderry: Faced with the task of replacing Alex Theodhosi, Lambert impressed in his first game. On just seven carries he rushed for 114 yards and a touchdown in the Lancers' 26-13 win over Winnacunnet. 

John Brooks, North Reading:  The junior did it all for North Reading in its 8-6 upset of Pentucket. He made a game-high seven tackles, recovered a fumble and made the final stop that clinched the win. For good measure, the QB threw a touchdown pass and rushed for 27 yards.

Dino Rizzo, North Reading:  Despite spending much of the game on the sidelines with cramps, Rizzo made his mark. He caught the Hornets' lone touchdown, and was on the receiving end of the two-point conversion that was the winning margin. 

Bruce Vieira, Pelham:  As Vieira goes, so go the Pythons.  The star senior racked up 175 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries and chipped in a sack from his linebacker spot in Pelham's 34-7 win over Campbell.

C.J. Lataille, Pentucket:  The sophomore rushed for a game-high 81 yards and the Sachems' lone touchdown in his first game as Pentucket's top back. He also delivered the hit of the game to knock the ball out of a receiver's grasp.

Cory Lavallee, Salem: The 5-foot-9, 165-pound senior made a pair of superb catches, one for 35 yards and the other for 22 yards to set up each Salem touchdown. Also a starter in the secondary, Lavallee chipped in seven tackles and a pair of pass breakups to help preserve the opening-day win at Keene. 

Jordan Regan, Timberlane: The senior defensive end was a force in Timberlane's near upset of Manchester Central, before falling 21-12. The 5-foot-10, 197-pounder made a team-high nine tackles and sacked Little Green quarterback Pat Tatro twice.