RallyNorth.net

Sat, Oct 21, 2017 06:00 PM @ Mystic Valley

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Greater Lawrence	15	24	0	8	47
Mystic Valley	12	8	0	0	20

Travers steps in beautifully, lifts Greater Lawrence

Saturday, October, 21 By Kyle Gaudette

MALDEN - You never want to see a teammate go down, but Greater Lawrence's Marc Travers is always ready when his number gets called.

With starting quarterback Jose Caceres sidelined with an injury, Travers, a senior from Methuen, was forced in to the starting role Saturday evening in a tight spot. A win against Mystic Valley would guarantee the Reggies a playoff berth, but a loss could have left them on the outside looking in.

No sweat.

Travers was 11 of 22 passing for 310 yards and three touchdowns, leading Greater Lawrence to a playoff-clinching, 47-20, victory over Mystic Valley.

"It felt great. I'm always keeping watch, making sure I know my plays and making sure I know what to do," said Travers, whose Reggies finished the regular season at 4-3. "When I came out here and it was my time to shine I did what I had to do.

"It always stinks to have a starter go down, but I knew I could do it. I knew I could get in there, give the team what they needed and get a win."

Travers eventually got the offense going, but not before Mystic Valley (2-5) opened up a 12-0 lead midway through the first quarter.

Needing points, Travers connected with Ronaldo Arias for a 61-yard bomb down the left sideline to get his team on the board. After a stop on defense, Donnie Croteau burst for a 7-yard TD to put the Reggies ahead for good.

"Stepping up is always a key, whether it's Pop Warner, high school or at the professional level," said Greater Lawrence coach Tony Sarkis. "(Travers) stepped up, and his teammates helped him by giving him some time to throw the ball.

"I can't be more proud of him."

Greater Lawrence broke the game open in the second quarter on a fairly crazy sequence.

It started after Travers connected with Luis Torres for a 21-yard touchdown to put Greater Lawrence up 21-12. The Reggies would then go on to recover a miraculous three onside kicks in a row, and finished each drive with points. Franklin Morales kicked a 33-yard field goal, Steven Polanco churned in a 30-yard run and Travers hit Croteau on an 85-yard bomb to put the Reggies up 39-20 at the half.

Defensively, Greater Lawrence came away with four interceptions. Croteau had two, and both David White and Polanco came away with the others. Torres led the team with seven tackles.

Malib Pastrana capped the scoring with a 6-yard run midway through the fourth quarter.

 

 

Greater Lawrence 47, Mystic Valley 20

Greater Lawrence (4-3):     15 24 0 8 - 47

Mystic Valley (2-5):     12  8 0 0 - 20

First Quarter

GL - Ronaldo Arias 61 pass from Marc Travers (Franklin Morales kick), 3:43

GL - Croteau 7 run (Croteau run), :22

Second Quarter

GL - Luis Torres 21 pass from Travers (run failed), 7:23

GL - Morales 33 field goal, 4:11

GL - Steven Polanco 30 run (Polanco run), 2:50

GL - Croteau 85 pass from Travers (Morales kick), 1:53

Fourth Quarter

GL - Malib Pastrana 6 run (Pastrana run), 6:49

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

RUSHING: Greater Lawrence (39-275): David White 16-123, Ader Mezidor 12-64, Donnie Croteau 4-43, Marc Travers 2-(-1), Steven Polanco 1-30, Malib Pastrana 2-10, Jonathan Trainor 2-6

PASSING: GL - Travers 11-22-1, 310

RECEIVING: GL - Ronaldo Arias 3-155, Donnie Croteau 1-85, Luis Torres 3-44, White 3-30, Polanco 1-(-4)