Tech football gets back on track

TYNGSBORO ?Coming off of consecutive tough losses, Tech was looking forward to taking on Greater Lowell in a down year. After a sloppy first half by both teams, the Tigers were able to put together a dominating second half to win 30-14 at Harold O. Bell field in Tyngsboro on Saturday.”The score was not indicative of the kind of game we played,” said Tech coach Gary Sverker. “It was more indicative of the second half we played. I think we really started playing better defense in the second.”Leading the way for Tech (3-3) were Ryan Murphy and Steven Caisse. While Murphy dominated on both sides of the ball, Caisse featured quick outside running on offense.The first half featured a comedy of errors as the Gryphons lost two fumbles and threw and interception, while Tech threw two interceptions of their own. Tech was only able to capitalize on one turnover, that of a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown by Murphy. While Tech was unable to convert for two points, they managed to get back those points just before halftime when a botch punt attempt by Greater Lowell resulted in Josmil Reynoso recording a sack.Coming out of the half, Tech was only winning 8-0, and was looking to establish an offensive presence. Greater Lowell was gunning for the upset, especially after moving 61 yards down field in seven plays for a game tying touchdown and two-point conversion. The key play of the drive for the Gryphons was a 26-yard screen on third and 14 where they caught the Tigers’ defense being too aggressive on a passing down.Tech quickly responded with their own seven-play drive, capped by quarterback Dustin Rooney finding Caisse on 27-yard pass. Caisse caught the ball at roughly the six-yard line and managed to weave his way through several Greater Lowell players to score.The ensuing drive for the Gryphons did not last long as Murphy picked up a loose fumble and returned the ball 71 yards for the touchdown. After he also scored the two-point conversion, Tech had seemingly put the game away at 24-8 with only 6:14 remaining in the game.However, Greater Lowell refused to go down without a fight as Bill Fuller returned the Tech kick off 83 yards for a touchdown to bring the Gryphons within two scores at 24-14.With six minutes remaining, Tech managed to extinguish any expectations of a dramatic comeback by their hosts. The Tigers put together a 12-play drive featuring both Caisse and Murphy pounding the ball in between the tackles. The drive culminated in Caisse’s second touchdown of the day, putting the Tigers safely ahead 30-14 with only 15 seconds remaining in the game.”In the second half we started blocking a little better,” said Sverker. “(Caisse) started running the ball a little better.”On the day Caisse finished with 17 carries for 78 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Murphy finished with 99 yards on the ground, a couple two-point conversions, two defensive touchdowns, and 12 tackles. “Ryan Murphy is Ryan Murphy,” said Sverker.