RallyNorth.net

Power Players, September 24, 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.

Yogi Layne, Andover: Layne squashed Dracut's late rally by pulling down the interception that clinched a 32-28 victory. The 6-foot-2 junior excelled at cornerback throughout the night and had another interception disallowed because of a roughing-the-passer penalty.

Llazar Cuko, Beverly: The senior kicker/punter showed off his strong leg by booming two kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks against Gloucester.

Josh Levesque, Danvers: The middle linebacker had a ferocious game defensively for the Falcons, putting pressure on Revere's skill players the entire day in a tough 6-0 loss.

Cam Marston, Gloucester: The sure-handed senior tight end hauled in three passes for 54 yards in a 34-7 victory over Beverly. Marston also recorded a sack and helped hold Beverly's dynamic Greg Pierce to just 31 yards rushing.

Nate Adames, Greater Lawrence: Adames rambled for 337 yards against Whittier, that's 18 yards shy of the school single-game rushing record, and three touchdowns using stop-on-a-dime athleticism. The senior linebacker also added seven tackles including a clutch stop on a two-point conversion try late in the game that allowed the Reggies to preserve a one-point lead.

Greater Lawrence offensive line: Senior center Arian Alicea, senior guards Rogers Bencosme and George Cruz, senior tackle Chris Sharpe, junior tackle Kevin Fritschy and senior tight end Yerison Cruz dominated the line of scrimmage throughout as the Reggies snapped an eight-game losing streak to Whittier.

Jimmy Cadogan, Ipswich: The junior back found the end zone on runs of 3, 11 and 41 yards as well as an 18-yard pass in the Tigers' 40-27 loss at North Andover.

Demetri Brown, Lawrence: Brown, a two-year starter, was a lethal weapon in the Lancers' upset bid at Wilmington. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder caught four passes for 167 yards, with TDs of 33 and 66 yards. Known for his physical blocking and excellent hands, the athletic junior also booted a PAT and caught a two-point pass.

Kevin Handy, Londonderry: You can excuse defensive players if they want nothing to do with Kevin Handy. The massive 6-foot, 295-pound tackle looked right at home in the Lancers' run-heavy attack. The senior regularly pancaked defenders while freeing Alex Theodhosi up to rush for 278 yards in the Lancers' 39-0 trouncing of Manchester Memorial.

Sam Perlow, Marblehead: A junior captain, Perlow returned a fumble 80 yards for a touchdown to spark the Magicians' big 26-7 upset of Salem.

Darren Hartwell, North Reading: The junior used his speed on two plays in the first quarter to open up a 14-0 lead and destroy any hopes of a Watertown win. He reeled in a deep pass from Jimmy Campbell for a 51-yard score and ran a punt back 80 yards to cement the game early for the undefeated Hornets.

Cam White, North Shore: It was a long day for North Shore, but junior receiver Cam White turned in a stellar performance with four catches for 61 yards and a touchdown.

Max Roth, Pelham: The senior linebacker was a force to be reckoned with in the lopsided win over Newfound. He plowed through the Bears line to make a pair of tackles deep in the backfield and pave the way for the shutout victory.

Bobby Dattilo, Pinkerton: When Pinkerton needed a first down, it looked to its most experienced back. Senior Bobby Dattilo delivered with a 33-yard carry that set up the game-clinching field goal in the Astros' 25-20 win over Salem. Dattilo led the Astros with 79 yards rushing on 10 carries.

Peter Kinchley, Swampscott: Kinchley, a senior quarterback, threw touchdown passes of 61 and 26 yards and scored the game-winning TD in the fourth quarter on a 2-yard rush as the Big Blue shaded Lynn English, 21-20.

Pat Hamilton, Timberlane: A speedy 5-6, 140-pound receiver, Hamilton touched the ball just twice, but scored two touchdowns on a 21-yard reverse and a 64-yard pass play in the Owls' 46-24 romp over Alvirne. Hamilton also recovered a fumble that set up another score.

John Tricomi, Whittier: The senior linebacker walloped Greater Lawrence Tech star Nate Adames and caused the senior to cough up the ball, which was recovered by teammate Dillon Ryan. He later stuffed Adames for a 5-yard loss as another of his six second-half tackles.