RallyNorth.net

Methuen Rangers Football '14

Fri, Sep 19, 2014 07:00 PM @ Andover
Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
Methuen 0 7 0 0 7
Andover 13 8 13 7 41

Andover tackles frustration out on Methuen

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ANDOVER — The instant the ball popped free, Kevin Chen already had his eyes on the end zone.

“There was no way I was going to dive on the fumble,” said the Andover running back/defensive back. “I knew I was going to scoop it up and score.”

On the first play of the game, Chen picked up a Methuen fumble and ran it back 22 yards for a score, his first of three touchdowns for the day as the Golden Warriors took out their frustrations from last week on Methuen with a 41-7 victory.

“This was a must-win game for us even this early in the season,” said quad-captain Chris Tully. “Nothing could stop us in this game. Last week’s loss was brutal. We went full-tilt all week getting ready, and we need this one.”

The Golden Warriors entered the night with the bad taste of the last-second North Andover loss from a week ago still in their mouths.

“Last week was devastating to all of us,” said receiver/defensive back Zach Walker. “It definitely hurt. We came out very flat last week, so this big start tonight was huge.”

Chen started the Golden Warriors off right by picking up the loose ball and running it back for the score.

That was the beginning of his huge day for the senior back, who added another first-quarter touchdown on a 2-yard run, intercepted a pass late in the second quarter and on the first play of the third quarter broke free for a 65-yard score.

“I saw a huge hole and ran for it,” said Chen, who also made eight tackles and caused an apparent fumble that was ruled down. “I hit the hole and used my track speed. We really wanted this one after last week’s heartbreak, and I was glad to perform better.”

Between Chen touchdowns, QB E.J. Perry IV struck for his first touchdown of the day late in the first quarter when he hooked up with speedy Walker on a 23-yard score.

“I was one-on-one with the corner,” said Walker. “I made a move, beat the guy and E.J. threw me a nice ball.”

Perry added another score through the air late in the third on a 27-yard pass to Brandon Marti, and closed out the scoring in the fourth with a 5-yard touchdown run.

“Methuen is always a really intense game,” said senior linebacker Brian Duffy. “It is a heated rivalry with a lot at stake with the (Larry Klimas-Dick Collins) Cup trophy on the line. We wanted this more than anything.”

Tully led the Warriors with 12 tackles, Duffy added 10 stops and Max Grant had a sack. Mike Baglieri led the Rangers with an interception and a touchdown run.

The Golden Warriors now face a massive task this upcoming week, taking on defending Division 1 Super Bowl champion Central Catholic.

“We lost to them twice last year and that was really rough,” said Duffy. “We are really pumped for that one. We want redemption.”

Game Statistics:

First Quarter

A — Kevin Chen 22 run (Chris Carver kick), 10:45

A — Zach Walker 23 pass from E.J. Perry IV (kick failed), 5:11

Second Quarter

A — Chen 2 run (Andrew Soucy pass from Perry IV), 3:55

M — Mike Baglieri 2 run (Nick Comerford kick), 1:20

Third Quarter

A — Chen 65 run (kick failed), 10:31

A — Brandon Marti 27 pass from Perry IV (Kevin Flowers kick), 1:09

Fourth Quarter

A — Perry IV 5 run (Charlie Ziegenbein kick), 3:18

 


INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

RUSHING: A (24-212) — Kevin Chen 12-112, Max Grant 6-42, E.J. Perry IV 5-28, Andrew Soucy 1-30; M (37-113) — Jake Amodio 20-49, Mike Baglieri 13-30, Kendrick Denose 3-38, John Abraham 1-(-4)

PASSING: A — Perry IV 6-15-3, 147; M — Baglieri 7-14-1, 54, Denose 0-3-0

RECEIVING: A — Zach Walker 2-61, Brandon Marti 1-27, Chris Rinaldi 1-24, Andrew Soucy 1-22, Alex Marshall 1-13; M — Abraham 2-31, Denose 2-16, Nick Comerford 3-7

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