Mistakes too costly for Tech gridders

LYNN – The word in Saturday morning’s Lynn Tech-Whittier game at Manning Field was “turnovers.” The Tigers committed six of them – three each on interceptions and fumbles – and lost, 31-8, to the Wildcats.Whittier31Tech8 Whittier (2-2) opened the scoring 44 seconds into the game, with Jay Desjardins outracing everyone for a 57-yard run and Jack Cressy adding the two points.Tech (0-3), meanwhile, struggled from the get-go. Quarterback Kennedy Gomes was sacked for a 13-yard loss on the Tigers’ second play and eventually punted, with Whittier taking over at midfield.Click here to see a photo gallery from this game.On a first down from the Tech 40, Cressy broke through and took it to the house, and added conversion to make the score 16-0, Whittier.Even when the Tigers stood tall, it worked against them in the long run. After Gomes (17-2-53) fumbled on Tech’s next possession, the Tigers defense held on a fourth-and-goal from the four. Yet, Gomes was chased out of the end zone on the next play, and Whittier was awarded the safety to make it 18-0 after a quarter.”Those turnovers (in the first period) were the key,” said Tigers coach James Runner. “Whittier’s a very good team, and we gave them the opportunity (to score). Their offense is designed not only to move the ball, but to also sustain the defense, and keep them on the field longer.”Whittier scored on their its first two possessions of the second period. Andrew McGrath took an inside feed into the end zone to give the ‘Cats 24-0 edge. Then, after a fumble recovery, quarterback Mike Melling. lobbed a two-yard TD pass to Desjardins to make it 31-0.”We wanted to dominate the line, as that’s where our strength is,” Whittier coach Kevin Bradley said. “We had a tough week (last week in the loss against Northeast), and had a good week of practice. This is our fourth game against a tough opponent.”Tech didn’t pick up its initial first down until midway through the second quarter when Gomes found Pedro Martinez for a 16-yard screen to the Wildcats 39.Tech’s defense continued to hold Whittier’s offense at bay in the third quarter, as the Wildcats were able to drive to the Tigers 6. Yet Tech pushed back Melling on fourth-and-3, keeping Whittier from scorng.The Tigers got on the board in the final period, when Melling lost the ball at his 35. Cornerback Rich Warren Jr, gathered the loose ball, and ran untouched into the end zone. Martinez added the conversion.