Tech gridders rebound with win

LYNN – Bouncing back from a bruising loss can be tough, but the Tech football team did it with gusto Friday, defeating Nashoba Valley, 26-0, at Manning Field.The Tigers spent the week trying to fix what ailed them in last week?s 36-14 loss to Pope John II of Hyannis (Tech trailed 36-0 at the half in that one) and the effort paid off.?We went out to Cape Cod last week and it was a tough one for us,” Tech coach James Runner said. “The biggest thing this week was to get back on the field, have no turnovers and try and execute on both sides of the ball, offensively and defensively.”It was a mission accomplished. Tech led 13-0 at the half and never let its guard down, scoring twice more in the fourth quarter. The defense did its job, holding Nashoba Valley to only 68 yards rushing and 103 yards passing.?It was really good to see,” Runner said. “Just to see the kids prosper on the football field. It?s been a while since we?ve won at Manning Field.”Tech set the tone early when Connor Robertson recovered a fumble on Nashoba Valley?s third play of the game. Although the Tigers didn?t capitalize on the turnover, they played some inspired defense on Nashoba?s next possession. The Vikings went on an 11-play drive that ended with three incomplete passes.Tech scored its first touchdown on its next possession when Rafy Lora ran it in from 11 yards out and Omar Herrera kicked the extra point. The big play of that drive came on third-and-10 when Lora hit Justin Lewis with a 26-yard pass.Nashoba Valley got the ball to the Tech 5 on its next possession thanks in part to some clutch Kevin Lewis on fourth-and-goal from the six.With only 1:07 left in the half and the ball on the Tech 6, it looked like the Tigers would have to settle for a 7-0 lead at the half. Lora, however, had other ideas. After hitting Lewis with a 14-yard pass on first down to put the ball at the 20, Lora held on to the snap and raced 80 yards down field for a touchdown. The kick failed, but Tech took a 13-0 lead into the lockerroom.The teams swapped possessions in the third quarter, but they both came away empty handed. Tech launched a drive from its own 36 late in the quarter and thanks in large part to a 28-yard run by Devin Phean, the Tigers managed to score early in the fourth quarter on an eight-yard run by Gravely up the middle. Herrera kicked the extra point, giving Tech a fairly comfortably 20-0 lead. The Tigers added one more late in the game when Gravely intercepted the ball at the Nashoba 42 and ran it back for a touchdown.Gravely finished with 63 yards rushing, two touchdowns and one catch for eight yards. Lewis had two catches for 40 yards and Lora led everyone with 100 yards rushing on eight carries. Tech finished with 199 yards rushing and Lora with 54 yards passing.?I think Rafy Lora was hands down one of the best players on the field,” Runner said. “He did a very good job. He was in command of the offense and that was very big for us.”Runner was also very happy with the defense by Phean and Jahvon Van. Tech was without linebacker Alen Cangalovic (injury), which meant everyone had to kick it up a notch and they responded well.?These kids just played tough, grind it out football,” Runner said.