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Sack City: Lawrence back and winning in MVC

Friday, September, 18 By Hector Longo
Staff writer

LAWRENCE - His defense shredded at nearly a point-a-minute pace, Mike Yameen turned the dogs loose and kicked down the door back into the Merrimack Valley Conference.

Yameen's blitz-happy Lancers roughed up Tewksbury QB Sean Connolly to the tune of eight sacks - four by junior Jean Zorrilla alone - and stifled the Redmen 12-8 before a tiny but frenzied Veterans Memorial Stadium gathering of 300.

Victory represents history for the Lancers, who return to the MVC after 16 years away. Lawrence exited the MVC after losing 41 straight league games to end the 1993 season.

Over the years, Lawrence has enjoyed selective success. Including a 1999 forfeit win over Methuen, the Lancers went 6-25 against MVC foes since its departure.

Last night was all about the arrival, much of the night right in the Redmen backfield.

"Pressuring the quarterback and getting sacks," said Zorrilla, a 5-foot-10, 160-pound outside linebacker. "We were sacking him all night."

Considering Lawrence gave up 40 to Lynn English last week and trailed 8-0 after the initial Redmen possession, doubt had to creep in, just a little bit.

"No panic, last week was just a wakeup call for us," said Nick Elwell. "We learned from last game. We're going to do some damage this year. That's just how it is."

Elwell and the offense found a spark on Harvey Blanco's 47-yard burst off right tackle. Six plays later, the senior Elwell spotted Christian Reyes on a 16-yard score, slicing the margin to 8-6.

From there, the Lancers terrorized Tewksbury, which possessed the ball for 15 of 22 minutes in the half, but took only the two-point advantage to the break.

Five post-intermission sacks put the Lancers in position for victory, and the offense capitalized.

Elwell, a senior who bided his time behind Ramon Heredia the last couple years, played the role of the seasoned vet in the fourth quarter.

A dish to Blanco gained 10 and Kevin Valerio snatched another Elwell strike for 18 more. Track sensation Francis Nova tore up the turf for 20 more, putting the Lancers in position at the Redmen 6.

Nothing comes easy for Lawrence, though, which was extended to fourth-and-goal at the 5.

"We're still not sold on our kicking game, we're waiting," said Yameen, who eschewed the thought of a field-goal try.

Yameen went with his go-to man, Mike Calzetta, for what the game-winner, a five-yard lob from Elwell with 8:51 left.

"I knew he was going to up there and get it for me," said Elwell of the 6-foot-4 Calzetta. "I'll put it up there for him every day. We've been doing it like that since Pop Warner."

Tewksbury, which drilled preseason Dual County League choice Lincoln-Sudbury last week, wouldn't threat again.