WEST ANDOVER — Greater Lawrence flexed its muscles on defense en route to a 19-7 win over league rival Greater Lowell in the State Vocational Large School semifinals.
The Reggies (8-3) controlled the game on both sides of the ball in the second half, with their stifling defense forcing two interceptions and zero points allowed, while their quarterback — senior Jose Caceres — led them to two scores.
The senior signal-caller rumbled in from 17-yards out midway through the third quarter, before adding a backbreaking score on a 62-yard strike to classmate Donnie Croteau nearly two minutes later.
“Jose is just dangerous, he’s a triple [threat], he can just do a little bit of everything, which keeps the defense on its heels,” said Greater Lawrence head coach Tony Sarkis, whose club didn’t play Greater Lowell in the regular season.
“When we get that throwing, running on the inside and Jose — we’re dangerous. We did that in the second half.”
Caceres rushed for 116 yards on 24 attempts. Fellow senior Ader Mezidor (87 rushing yards) also made his presence known with a 15-yard touchdown run two minutes into the contest.
But it was the Greater Lawrence defense which delivered the victory. After a first half where that defense conceded a 12-yard touchdown pass from Jeremy Gray to Jeremy Sar, the Reggies dominated the second half.
On the four drives that the Gryphons (7-4) began in the second half, two of them ended with three-and-outs. The other two ended with interceptions from Croteau and Steven Polanco.
“If you think about it, that first half they scored on three big penalties, we gave them about 30 yards of offense right there,” said Sarkis.
“We talked to the seniors (at halftime) about them stepping it up and making sure they’re doing what they need to do on their end, cleaning up the mess with penalties, and putting the ball on the carpet. They responded well and I’m proud of them.”
Polanco also had an interception in the first half as the Reggies’ defense held Gray to 81 total passing yards.
In the postgame huddle, Sarkis told his players of the two previous Greater Lawrence squads to reach the State Vocational Bowl. Both fell in the title game, he said.
“Northeast and Assabet are playing Saturday, so we’ll find out Saturday what’s going on. We’ve just got to come to play, eliminate mistakes, get better as a team and stay together as a team,” Sarkis said.
“Hopefully the third time is the charm here. These guys deserve it, they’ve been working hard since April, so we’re very proud of these guys.”
Next up, though, for the Reggies is a Wednesday night matchup with Whittier back here at Luis Gleason Field.
Score: Greater Lawrence 19, Greater Lowell 7
Greater Lawrence (8-3): 7 0 12 0
Greater Lowell (7-4): 7 0 0 0
First Quarter:
Gr. Lawrence — Ader Mezidor 15-yard run (Kevin Matul Kick GOOD), 9:11
Gr. Lowell — Jeremy Gray 12-yard pass to Jeremy Sar (Devin Farrell Kick GOOD), 1:09
Third Quarter:
Gr. Lawrence — Jose Caceres 17-yard run (2-point conversion NO GOOD), 5:27
Gr. Lawrence — Jose Caceres 62-yard pass to Donnie Croteau (2-point conversion NO GOOD), 3:39
Individual Leaders:
RUSHING
Greater Lawrence: 48-239 2 TDs, 2 FUMs
Jose Caceres: 24-116, TD; Ader Mezidor: 15-87, TD, 2 FUMsl Shamil Diaz: 5-15; Steven Polanco: 1-7; Omar Medina: 1-7; Donnie Croteau: 1-6, Maleek Dejesus: 1-1
Greater Lowell: 17-22
Devon Prak 8-12, Matthew Gaudette 6-7, Jeremy Gray 3-3
PASSING
Greater Lawrence: Jose Caceres: 6/14, 102 yds. TD
Greater Lowell: Jeremy Gray: 6/22, 81 yds. TD, 3 INTs
RECEIVING
Greater Lawrence: 6-102, TD
Donnie Croteau: 1-62, TD; Maleek Dejesus: 1-17; Shamil Diaz: 2-16; Steven Polanco: 1-8; Ader Mezidor: 1-(-1)
Greater Lowell: 6-81, TD
Devon Prak: 1-61, Jeremy Sar: 1-12, TD; Dylan Bishop: 1-8, Matthew Gaudette: 1-3, Isaiah Carrasquillo: 2-(-3)
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Football, 11/15/18 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars
