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Methuen, Lawrence

LAWRENCE — Methuen had two main goals against Lawrence Friday night.

The Rangers wanted a nice bounce-back win after losing to Central Catholic and they wanted to establish its running attack.

Check and check and mission accomplished.

Led by quarterback Connor Bryant (15 carries, 134 yards, 2 TDs), Methuen ran for 226 yards and easily defeated the Lancers, 35-13 to improve to 5-2 entering the playoffs next week.

"It was definitely in the game plan to run the ball," said Bryant, who did most of his damage in a 103-yard first half. "I think our (offensive0 line has come together and we're really starting to click.

"I was kind of down after last week's game but after one day, we started thinking about Lawrence. We knew this was a big game for them and we had to step up."

But, except for a couple of big plays on offense, Lawrence did not play with that "big game feel" and was burdened by penalties (eight) and was guilty of sloppy tackling.

After stopping Lawrence's first series with a Wes Correa interception, the Rangers drove down the field and completed a 94-yard drive with an 8-yard scoring pass to Matt Martino.

Methuen drove 60 yards on its next series but failed to convert on a 32-yard field goal but the Rangers made it 14-0 early in the second quarter on a Ricky Brutus (15 carries, 77 yards) six-yard TD run.

Lawrence made it 14-7 to close the gap shorrtly therafter when it recovered a fumble, got a 34-yard run by Brandon Santell, which he followed with a one-yard plunge.

But the Rangers needed just 50 seconds to retalliate, courtesy of Bryant runs of 24 and 21 yards, making it 21-7 at halftime.

The second half was more of the same as Methuen scored on its first two possessions, on runs of 20 yards by Brant and 5 yards by Brutus, providing a comfortable 35-7 lead.

The Lancers did narrow the gap on their next possession, accounting for the final score, when Jacob Tamayo faked a swing pass and then found Anthony Garcia deep and completed a 73-yard scoring play. But Lawrence could not get any closer.

Among those playing well on the offensive line for Methuen were  Alex Fitzgerald, Aaron Searth, Sam Ferullo, Ryan Melo and Ian McKinnon abd McKinnon was a force dfensively as well. He and Jonathan Ouellet were among those applying constant pressure on Tamayo.

"We were trying to get our running game back on track," said Methuen coach Tom Ryan. "I think we can do even better but this is a good first step.

"But I'm happy with the way we're playing. For a young team to be 5-2 at this point, I'll take it."

As for Lawrence, Santell had another big game defensively and led the Lancers in rushing with 71 yards on nine carries.