Tech gridders fall to Mystic Valley

LYNN – On Saturday morning the Lynn Tech football team welcomed the undefeated Mystic Valley Eagles to Manning Field for a league matchup that had huge playoff implications, as a win could qualify the Tigers for post-season play.View Photo GalleryUnfortunately for Tech, however, the Eagles, led by a heavy second-half attack, defeated the Tigers 27-6, crushing any playoff opportunity at least for now. The Tigers still have a shot at an at-large bid.”Mystic Valley represents the conference well and you have to give them credit,” said Tech’s James Runner. “The pride of our football team is not gone though. My kids were able to overcome some mistakes and play their tails off the whole game. I hope the city of Lynn sees that were more than a football team, we are a football program.”Lynn Tech got the scoring started on their first drive of the game when they were able to put together a 12-play drive that resulted in a Steffan Gravely one-yard touchdown rush to give the Tigers an early 6-0 lead.The Eagles struck right back on their next drive as James LoChirco capped off a 61-yard drive with a one-yard rush of his own to tie the game 6-6.That would be the end of the first-half scoring as both defenses stole the show, holding the opposite offenses to no additional scores.Tech was scheduled to receive the ball to start the second-half but a squib kick by Mystic Valley hit a Tiger player and bounced right back to the Eagles giving Mystic Valley the ball.The Eagles took advantage of the turnover right away as they marched 50 yards down the field and took the lead on a five-yard rush by Robert Cummings.Following a defensive hold by Mystic Valley, the Eagles offense took over on their own 15-yard line. On the second play of the drive quarterback Devin Pierce hit Jayden Jean for an 89-yard touchdown pass to give the Eagles a 21-6 lead.Mystic Valley capped off the scoring on their next drive when Pierce led the offense 62 yards down the field before eventually hitting Jean for another touchdown pass which made the score 27-6.”Coach Runner, like always, had his guys ready to play, “said Head Coach Craig Turner.”Today was a great team win today. Our team was able to make some second-half adjustments and come away with the win.”