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Sat, Sep 23, 2006 10:30 AM @ Whittier

Team	Final
Greater Lawrence	0
Whittier	20

Reggies undone by turnovers in loss to Whittier

Monday, August, 27 By Chuck Frye
Correspondent

HAVERHILL | Whittier notched a number of season firsts against Greater Lawrence yesterday.

The Wildcats were shut out in the second half. They suffered their first turnovers of the season. They punted the ball for the first time. And the Reggie offense outgained Whittier in the final 22 minutes, 77 yards to 75.

However, Whittier converted a pair of rain-aided miscues into touchdowns and mustered up one trademark long scoring drive, also during a downpour, and that was enough in a deceptive 20-0 decision at Gordon Field.

"They (Greater Lawrence) were aggressive on defense," said Whittier head coach Kevin Bradley. "But what I liked about (our) offense first is that we capitalized on their mistakes right away and that's what we've got to continue in the second half (of the season)."

Joel Penney's breakaway speed got the 'Cats on the board first. After Whittier (3-0) slugged it out for 36 yards on its first six running plays, Penney (14 carries, 114 yards) got his first touch on a counter handoff off the right side and blasted 46 yards to the end zone 3<1/2> minutes into the game.

Then three consecutive turnovers put the Reggies, now 1-2, quickly in a hole.

A lost fumble pounced on by Andrew Mondello gave Whittier the ball at Greater Lawrence's 31, and six plays later a savvy misdirection call cleared the right side for Penney, who rambled untouched 16 yards to paydirt.

Greater Lawrence coughed up the ball again two plays later but survived with a big stop on downs at its own 22. But an interception by senior Chase Smith two plays after set the 'Cats up again at the Reggie 30.

Three plays and 3 yards later, quarterback James Fournier got the ball to junior Craig Eaton on the left side just before the safety arrived for what would be the final TD of the day. Thane Sanford (11 carries, 37 yards) rushed for the two-point conversion and a 20-0 advantage with 5:11 left in the first half.

"We give up the ball three times and they score three times. That killed us right there," said Reggie head coach Tony Sarkis. "(Whittier) got one big play. Hats off to our defense for an incredible job."

Stoking the defensive fires were tackle Juan Franco and defensive end Yerison Cruz (seven tackles each) along with juniors John Cruz (fumble recovery) and Nate Adames.

"We were loading it up and taking it to them, especially in the second half," Sarkis said. "We shut them down."

Whittier's defense did the same, allowing the Reggies no closer than 24 yards from the goal line and shackling running quarterback Jonathan DelaSantos. Senior Jay Pena paced a strong team defense with six tackles while middle linebacker Clint Clay added five stops, three for negative yardage.

"We might have gotten a little conservative in the second half," Bradley admitted. "We didn't want to make a mistake or give up a big play. But we still ended up with over 200 yards rushing (212 total) and an edge in time of possession (almost 26 minutes to the Reggies' 18).

"We're still getting better," he concluded. Sarkis concluded, "We've just got to get more focused on offense, get things in order."