Opportunistic Tech breezes past Mystic Valley

MALDEN – Lynn Tech’s defense had two big turnovers that led to early touchdowns as the Tigers rolled to a 41-21 victory over Mystic Valley at Brother Gilbert Stadium in Malden on Friday night.”It was good to see our offense moving like we are supposed to,” said Tech coach James Runner. “My offensive line did a great job blocking up front. Our blocking was where it needed to be tonight.”Jession Batista recovered a fumble on the opening possession at Mystic Valley’s 33-yard line and four plays later, Juan Prenza took a hand-off around the right end for an 18-yard touchdown run. Tech got an interception on the next offensive play for Mystic Valley. Prenza provided a 13-0 lead on a 2-yard scamper up the middle with about six minutes left in the opening quarter.Mystic Valley refused to surrender as it got on the scoreboard late in the first quarter with a 1-yard toss from quarterback Devin Pierce to Robert Cummings. The Eagles drive was helped by a pass interference penalty on a Tech defensive back and a 29-yard connection from Pierce to Jeremiah Timothee.Tech’s offense went back to work on their ensuing series. The Tigers began on their own 41 and their signal-caller Rafy Lora made some big plays, including a 31-yard jaunt. Lora also completed two passes on the drive. He finished the possession with a 1-yard run through the middle of Mystic Valley’s defense early in the second quarter. Tech added another score on a 19-yard pass from Lora to Michael Chiapperini.The first half ended on a strange series of plays. Tech’s defense stopped the Eagles just past midfield. Lora threw a pick with seven seconds left at Mystic Valley’s 40-yard line. The Eagles successfully converted a screen lateral pass from Timothee to Cummings down the left side of the field to cut the deficit to two possessions. “We were able to hit them with one, but it was disappointing that we weren’t able to carry the momentum into the second half,” said Mystic Valley head coach Craig Turner.In the second half, Lora’s pass was picked off by a Mystic Valley defensive back on their own 5-yard line after Tech received the ball to open the third quarter. Jahvon Van and Chiapperini combined to sack Pierce in the end zone for a safety. This was one of five sacks and it ended any hopes for an Eagles comeback as Tech dialed up their blitzes in the second half. Nelson Lopez gave Tech a 35-13 advantage with a 3-yard run on the following drive.”Jahvon and Michael Chiapperini made it very difficult for the quarterback to get the ball over the top,” said Runner. “We tried to get them to play the guessing game of who’s coming.”The running game led by Prenza, Lora, and Nelson Lopez could not be denied.