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Ryan, Surette keep Whittier undefeated

Saturday, November, 14 By Jeff Hamrick

HAVERHILL — On a day more suited for three yards and a clump of mud, Whittier decided to air things out. And thanks to an opportunistic defense, the Wildcats didn't have to throw deep.

Dillon Ryan found favorite target Steve Surette for three touchdowns as Whittier remained atop the Commonwealth Conference Large standings with an easy 30-0 victory over Greater Lowell yesterday afternoon. In posting their first shutout of the season, the Wildcats (10-0 overall, 4-0 conference) won for the 21st time in 22 outings and clinched at least a tie for the conference title.

"Passing is always on our mind," Whittier coach Kevin Bradley said. "It just shows you when you have a talented quarterback like Dillon Ryan, talented receivers and talented tight ends they make things happen. We're growing as a team."

The Ryan-Surette connection has become one of the most potent combinations in the state. Ryan now leads Division 4 with 22 touchdown throws while Surette leads receivers with 13 scoring catches. XXXX here goes where Ryan stands among area quarterbacks.

"We were trying to break the record, so we practiced throwing the ball pretty much all week," Surette said. "We came up with some new routes."

But it was the defense that continuously set up the Wildcats in great field position. Whittier ran only three more plays from scrimmage than Greater Lawrence (1-8, 0-4) but gained 129 more yards and scored 30 more points. the Gryhpons managed only three first downs while averaging a measly 3.2 yards per play in the game and were held to minus 4 yards rushing in the second half.

Greater Lawrence crossed midfield once while Whittier began five of their eight possessions in Gryphon territory, including twice inside the 20. None of Whittier's four scoring drives lasted more than four plays. The Wildcats also scored on a safety caused by a bad snap on a Gryphon punt attempt.

"We made them pay for their mistakes," Bradley said. "We had them pinned down there and we just capitilized on miscues. And that's what you want to do. The defense's job is to get that ball as fast as they can for the offense, and the offense's job is to get it in. We had it pretty well balanced."