Tough night for Lynn Tech in loss to Essex Tech

DANVERS – The Lynn Tech football team’s season took an unfortunate trip down memory lane in its 35-0 loss against host-Essex Tech on Friday evening, a game that shared striking similarities to an ugly, season-opening setback.”We were a lot more prepared for tonight’s game than we were in Week 1 (a 36-14 shortcoming at Pope John Paul II), but the overwhelming mental breakdowns hurt us just the same,” said Tigers’ coach James Runner.”I’m very disappointed with our execution but I give all the credit in the world to Essex Tech, a very strong team who took us away from our game plan early.”A three-pronged offensive attack consisting of seniors Dan Bailey (running back), Yordany Sanchez (quarterback) and Dan Ramirez (wide receiver) guided the Hawks to a 28-0 halftime lead.Bailey broke in for a 1-yard touchdown run shortly after long his signal caller opened the scoring with a successful keeper from 45-yards with 6:00 remaining in the opening period.Senior Matt Almon would add a 1-yard scoring run before Sanchez polished off the half on a 38-yard touchdown pass to Ramirez with less than a minute to play.”I have to take my hat off to Bailey in particularly. He’s a terrific running back but I believe that he’s an even better linebacker,” lauded Runner of the dual-threat who factored in on around 12 tackles in addition to 70 yards rushing.Ramirez also shined on the defensive side of the ball, picking off passes from senior quarterback, Rafy Lora (4 interceptions), on three separate occasions.Turnovers aside, Lynn Tech never found any traction with the ball, another glaring similarity to its season opening defeat.Lora finished just 1 of 10 for 11 yards while the Tigers’ backfield tandem of freshman Steffan Gravely and junior Devin Phean combined for just 83 yards.”We had guys breaking their seals before even getting to the line of scrimmage,” reflected Runner of the offensive struggles. “I know we’re a frustrated group right now but this game was not a reflection of who we are as a team.”After being picked off by his counterpart in a scoreless third quarter, Sanchez (2 interceptions) atoned for the miscue just seconds into the final period when he found a wide open Paul Lazzaro for a 25-yard scoring pass to cap the scoring.”I can promise only one thing; We’re going to hit harder in practices than we ever have before,” said Runner of his plans moving forward.”There’s going to be no sulking over this,” he continued. “We still have a chance at making the playoffs, but we have to win out to do so.”Tech (2-2) will look to rebound next week against Minutemen Regional.