RallyNorth.net

Govs slips past Middlesex in opener

Friday, September, 21 By Dan Guttenplan
Sports editor

The Governor's Academy football coach Mark Gerry can rest easy this weekend.

The Govs gave the veteran coach reason for optimism yesterday with a 28-7 victory over Middlesex School at The Governor's Academy. Gerry expressed some concern prior to the opener as to whether his team would be able to fill the void left by last year's quarterback Brian Day and tailback Tim Langmaid.

Will Bryson delivered his best Brian Day impression with an efficient 10 for 15 passing performance for 95 yards. And Andy Somerville played the role of Langmaid, amassing 115 yards on the ground and three touchdowns.

"I wasn't sure what to expect, and I was happily surprised," Govs coach Mark Gerry said. "I told the kids I was surprised but never satisfied. We had a good week of practice and that translated to the game."

The Govs wasted no time asserting themselves as the dominant team, building a 14-0 first-quarter lead.

Somerville scored from 10 yards out on the first drive, and West Newbury's George Tsakergis added six more points on a 1-yard dive.

"Andy Somerville ran hard, and our line did a great job of opening holes," Gerry said. "Tsakergis did a great job of lead blocking. I'm really happy with the way things came together."

The teams traded touchdowns in the second quarter; Somerville tallied his second score on a 1-yard plunge and David Lawson caught a 60-yard pass from Middlesex's Mike Pallotta.

Somerville finished the scoring in the fourth quarter on another 1-yard sweep.

Gerry was able to use sophomore Mike Orloff at quarterback in the fourth quarter, introducing a new brand of offense that defenses must account for moving forward.

"Bryson did so well, I kept him in until the fourth quarter," Gerry said. "Then we ran Orloff's package late, and that was very encouraging. They both did well."

The Governor's Academy will take to the road next Friday night against St. Sebastian's (7 p.m., Bentley College). The Govs beat St. Sebastian's, 28-0, last fall.