MINUTEMEN FLAGGED IN METHUEN; 49-32
As they marched through their season this year, it often seemed that the only force capable of stopping the Lexington High football team were the Minutemen themselves. Unfortunately, they submitted exhibit A of that scenario in Friday night’s 49-32 loss at Methuen to a host Ranger team that was only too willing to capitalize on the visitor’s generosity.
This loss had to hurt for the Minutemen. It was a game that was totally winnable. They jumped out to an early 14-0 in the first 6 minutes. Led 20 – 14 at the half and 32 – 28 and the end of three.
Coach George Peterson commented, “We jumped out to that two touchdown lead, and the kids just felt like it was over. We just didn’t keep playing from that point.”
A blocked punt, a poorly executed on sides kick and a whopping eight penalties–three of which were momentum changers–opened the door for Methuen, and the Ranger trio of senior quarterback Jordan Perdomo (1 td running and 2 passing) senior running back Saul Cespedes (3 TD’s running) and wide receiver senior David Kelly (1 TD passing and 1 receiving) were more than happy to walk through.
This wild game featured a second half with five lead changes and a four-minute period in which the teams scored four times.
Methuen opened the second half with a 16-play eight-minute drive that was assisted by a costly holding penalty on the Minutemen. At the Lexington 30, Minuteman senior co-captain linebacker Jimmy Lane sacked Perdomo for what appeared to be a 12 yard loss back to the 42, but Lexington was flagged for holding. Instead of 3rd and 17 from the 42, the Rangers were in business with a first down at the Lexington 20 and scored three plays later, taking the lead for the first time at 21-20 and setting up the slugfest that followed.
For the next four minutes the teams flailed away at each other in the brutal cold.
Lexington scored in two plays with senior quarterback Sal Frelick hitting junior Tony Bianchi over the middle at the Ranger 45 where Bianchi split the safeties and ran untouched into the end zone for a 26 – 21 Lexington lead.
Kelly returned the ensuing kick-off 85 yards to the Lexington 15. Three plays later Cespedes scored from the 5 giving the lead back to Methuen 28-26.
It took Lexington but twenty seconds to answer with senior co-captain Ben Quint going 56 yards putting the Minutemen back on top 32 – 28.
A botched on-sides kick allowed the Rangers to start their response at the Lexington 41. Kelly made a brilliant leaping grab of a 30-yard Perdomo pass at the Lexington 1. Cespedes did the honors on the next play as Methuen regained the lead, 35-32.
Surely, in their turn Lexington would answer. Starting on their own 20, Frelick and Quint smartly carried the Minutemen 43 yards in 4 plays to the Ranger 37 where the drive stalled. Facing 3rd and 10 Peterson called for one of his favorites, the inside screen pass from Frelick to Quint, and it appeared to work again. Frelick lured the defensive line. Quint snuck a few yards to the left hash mark, gathered Frelick’s toss, turned upfield and was barely caught at the 15 but well beyond the needed first down yardage.
It was not to be. Lexington was flagged for an illegal block. It was perhaps the most painful of the many penalties called on the visitors.
“Penalties killed us,” Peterson said, “especially late in the game. The flag on the screen play after the play had worked. It was really frustrating. We finally just gave in to the elements.”
The play not only ended the drive, it deflated the Minutemen. Coincidentally, it energized Methuen who scored the put-away touchdown on a well-designed halfback pass off a pitchout from Kelly to senior wide out Seth Pare. The Lexington defense, coming forward to stop the run, left Pare all alone at the Minuteman 30, and he scored easily.
Lexington had to wonder how things got to this point after opening so impressively.
Their first score came on a 4th down and 3 from the Methuen 22. Frelick, chased out of the pocket, reversed his field and threw on the run to senior receiver Ryan Blanchard who made a diving catch in the end zone. Junior Duncan Hewitt converted for the early 7-0 lead.
The Lexington defense, stubborn in the early going, stopped Methuen’s first drive when junior linebacker Max Stevens stone-walled Perdomo on 4th and 1 at the Minuteman 30.
One play later it was 14-0 Lexington on a Quint 70-yard explosion off right tackle.
As the second quarter opened, though, the Minutemen allowed a blocked Bianchi punt gifting Methuen possession on the 15. Three plays later Perdomo scored giving the Rangers renewed hope after a start that looked dangerously like a Lexington runaway.
Quint was brilliant in defeat for the Minutemen running eight times for 184 yards and two touchdowns. Frelick carried 14 times for 102 yards and was 10 for 24 passing for 170 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in positively miserable passing conditions. Bianchi was targeted 5 times for 118 yards and 2 scores while Blanchard had 3 catches for 41 yards and a touchdown.
Now with and 8-2 record the Minutemen will end their season at Burlington on Thanksgiving Day at 10am.