RallyNorth.net

Bartlett pair: Twin brother connection vaults Methuen

Saturday, October, 04 By David Willis
Staff writer

TEWKSBURY — The first time Methuen ran the play, Mike Bartlett let the pass slip through his hands. The second time, there was no way the senior was going to drop it.

“It was a new play and I don’t know why I didn’t catch the ball the first time,” said Bartlett. “But I just got myself open again and I knew I would catch it this time. I brought it in and it was just total joy.”

Bartlett broke out of the backfield, found open space in the middle of the defense, and twin brother Matt Bartlett hit him in stride for the 33-yard touchdown pass with 2:56 left in the game that gave the Rangers a 27-20 victory over Tewksbury yesterday afternoon.

“I just had to run over to congratulate my brother,” said Matt Bartlett. “I saw him wide open and, even though he dropped the one earlier, I knew he was going to catch it. I have more confidence in him than anyone on the team. I know everything about him.”

This marked the second Merrimack Valley Conference win in two seasons for the Rangers (2-3), who snapped a 33-game MVC losing streak last year.

“This just feels awesome,” said Matt Bartlett. “To break in (with the MVC win) is so important. It is a big step in the right direction for us. We need to keep going this way.”

The Bartletts led the way. Matt was 6-of-9 passing for 101 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Mike caught the game-winning score, rushed for two more touchdowns and rushed for a team-high 86 yards on 15 carries.

After a three-and-out on their first possession, the Rangers took the lead with 5:11 left in the first half. Pat Phillion returned a punt 33 yards to the Redmen 32. Five plays later, Mike Bartlett took a direct snap and ran in from 2 yards out to make the score 7-6.

Tewksbury (1-3) took the lead midway through the third, but Methuen responded in style thanks to a pair of turnovers.

After another three-and-out, the Rangers punted. But the Tewksbury return man dropped the ball and Josue Henriquez recovered. Bartlett tacked on his second rushing touchdown six plays later.

Tewksbury then fumbled the following kickoff, and Justin Marsan recovered. On the first play from scrimmage, Matt Bartlett connected with Joenrry Acosta on a beautiful 35 yard-touchdown pass for the Rangers’ second score in 20 seconds and a 20-14 lead.

The Redmen would respond once more. But that set up the Bartlett-to-Bartlett score, and Matt Gordon finished off Tewksbury’s final drive with a sack.

Sean Cairns and Pat O’Leary tied for the Rangers’ team-high with seven tackles each. Kyle Hudson added five stops and Dominic Thompson, Jeff McAndrew and Henriquez each made four. Thompson, Cairns and Henriquez each added a sack.

“Tewksbury is a very good team,” said Mike Bartlett. “They are a competitor, and that makes us a competitor. Teams should watch out for us.”