RallyNorth.net

Methuen dismantles Lancers

Friday, November, 12 By Hector Longo
Staff writer

LAWRENCE — The pre-Thanksgiving hype is officially on.

Soaring Methuen committed no slip-ups, taking care of business just as rival Dracut did to secure a high-stakes, brawl for it all on Turkey Day morning at Nicholson Stadium.

Senior Cal Carroll tossed three second-quarter TD passes and ran for two more scores in the third as the Rangers rolled up their ninth straight victory, 42-6, over Lawrence High.

"We just want to rest, recover and get healthy," said Ranger coach Pat Graham. "We have a little extra time now. We have to use it then focus on Dracut."

Without receiver Raudy Minaya, Carroll found plenty of willing targets, beginning with senior Kevin Higgins, who pulled in a pair of TDs.

"We all talked about having to step up without Raudy," said Higgins, who scored on a 29-yarder to open the second quarter and a 32-yarder as time ran out in the half.
"There are a lot of guys here ready to make plays."

Carroll found Bobby Cole for another TD, also in the second. The senior threw for 165 yards on 10 of 18 passes, eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark for the second straight year.

Methuen cranked up the ground game in the third with Carroll busting in for a pair of scores, making it 19 rushing and 18 passing TDs for the year.

Junior Ryan Savastano (19 carries, 119 yards) punished the Lancers after the break and added a third-quarter TD.

Meanwhile, the Ranger defense seemed impregnable behind Mike Harper, Matt Delmonte, Brian Sim and others.

Now the Rangers forge ahead, with the extra-long break until Turkey Day the only negative in what should be an amazing November.

"Thanksgiving game with the winner going to the playoffs, should be incredible," said Higgins. "I feel like this team has all the aspects to be great. Most important, this is a family. We're brothers. We're got nine in a row, looking for 10. I get goose bumps just thinking about that game. Nothing could be better than what is ahead."

For the Lancers, who fall to 3-7, coach Mike Yameen will attempt to rally his group for one final stand on Thanksgiving, when Salem, N.H., comes to town.

"This effort was not what we were looking for," said Yameen, who saw his starters shut down and held to just 125 yards of offense with three turnovers. "We took a step back tonight. We have to find a way to get it going for Thanksgiving. For the seniors, it's their last chance."

Additional stories:

• Methuen dismantles Lancers