Thanksgiving preview: Lynn Tech hopes to even things up tonight

There aren?t many coaches out there who wouldn?t like a few more wins when all is said and done and Lynn Tech?s James Runner is no exception.View season’s photos from throughout the fall season on the North ShoreThe Tigers are 4-5 heading into tonight?s match-up against St. Mary?s and Runner knows there were a few missed opportunities over the course of the season, but overall the team is where he thought it would be at this point.Heading into the season Runner found himself without a couple of returning players he thought he would have due to eligibility issues. The Tigers also faced life without Kennedy Gomes, their all-everything player the last several years (Gomes graduated). That left some shoes to fill and several guys stepped up to the plate.Rafy Lora made the transition from junior varsity quarterback to varsity quarterback fairly seemlesly and Juan Prenza, who took home and Agganis/Item Player of the Week this season, was very effective at tailback and cornerback.?The future looks good for him,” Runner said.Justin Lewis was another pleasant surprise. The 6-2 sophomore wide receiver developed as the season wore on and against Northeast Regional, had over 100 yards receiving.?He was another sophomore who ignited us. Offensively he made some big plays and he had some big interceptions,” Runner said.Another sophomore, Javohn Van, was a force at outside linebacker.?He was a freak of nature,” Runner joked. “He?s a long kid with great strength. He got better as the year went on.”Runner also got a lot out of his seniors including captain Roberto Brown, an offensive and defensive lineman; Billy Ferrar, offensive line and defensive end.?He had a great impact on the defensive line,” Runner said, adding that he calls Brown and Ferrar, both National Honor Society students, his twin towers.Another senior, Nelson Lopez, gave the Tigers a strong presence at fullback.?He did a really great job opening up holes,” Runner said.In looking back at the season, Runner said the 13-6 win over Chelsea was big.?We had our backs against the wall. We wanted to make a statement. We were so close to being in the playoff system. I thought that win was huge. I thought the Chelsea game was a good moment for the football program and the kids,” Runner said.Tech played Minuteman in Game 4 of the season and lost bit, 46-12. The two teams met again at the end of the season and the Tigers lost, but this time by a score of 20-14. Runner said Tech did a lot of good things in that game but Tech penalties and a couple of big passes by Minuteman torpedoed the effort.?That would have been a good win for us,” he said.This was Runner?s fourth year as head coach and there are a lot of positives he?s taking away from this season. One of the big things is that almost all the players who were there at the start of the season are here at the end. He?s said they?re committed to the program and to each other.?The kids are great kids. They?re please and thank you type of kids and that?s only going to pay off in the lone run,” he said.Although the playoff system the MIAA instituted this year has garnered mixed reviews, Runner is a fan. “I love a playoff system,” he said. “I just hope to be there (in a Super Bowl) some time. I want a state title. Everyone wants a state title. Next year we?ll rebuild, get stronger and try to win the Commonwealth Conference Small.”The Tigers only played 10 games season. They were scheduled to play an 11th, against Pope John, but Pope John dropped its football program before the start of the season.