LYNN— The St. Mary’s football team has found a reliable winning formula. The Spartans score early and often and play shutdown defense the rest of the way. That, in short, was the winning formula of Friday night’s No. 1 St. Mary’s 46-0 win over No. 5 Greater Lawrence in the Division 7 North tournament semifinals at Manning Field.
St. Mary’s did the bulk of its work early, storming out to a 38-0 lead at halftime and playing a conservative and relaxed game the rest of the way en route to the victory.
Leading the way for the Spartans was the four-man running attack of quarterback Calvin Johnson (six carries for 50 yards) and running backs Marlon Scott (seven carries, 115 yards), James Brumfield (eight carries, 80 yards) and George Freeman (six carries, 44 yards).
Johnson ran for three touchdowns and threw another, Scott ran for a score and caught a touchdown pass and Brumfield also found the end zone on a carry.
“All our running backs ran hard,” Spartans coach Matt Durgin said. “We’re very fortunate to have talented and very good football players. They all work hard and they block for one another. Our offensive line did a great job.
“Our offensive line’s a great group,” Durgin added. “They work very hard and they work well together.”
The Spartans found the end zone three times in the first quarter. Calvin Johnson ran in a pair of touchdowns on one and nine-yard keepers to give the Spartans a 14-0 lead. Scott added a 50-yard touchdown rush before the end of the quarter and the Spartans led 22-0.
Greater Lawrence took the opening kick of the second half to St. Mary’s 38-yard line, but the drive resulted in a missed 42-yard field goal attempt. Brumfield’s nine-yard run to the end zone, paired with a 37-yard touchdown pass from Johnson to Scott, gave the Spartans a hefty 38-0 advantage at the recess.
“We just want the kids to come out and play as hard as they can,” Durgin said. “Fortunately we didn’t turn the ball over and good things happened.”
The St. Mary’s defense forced Greater Lawrence quarterback Marc Travers to throw three interceptions in the first half, doing its part to keep Johnson and the Spartans’ offense on the field. The defense hasn’t allowed a point in the Spartans’ two tournament games.
“The defense is playing consistently,” Durgin said. “They’re running to the football and a lot about defense is great effort. That’s what our defense is giving us.”
Johnson capped the opening drive of the second half, and the scoring for the night, with a two-yard keeper. The Spartans were 5-of-6 on two-point conversions.
The Spartans now turn their attention to No. 2 Brighton, who they’ll host next week in the Division 7 North final at Manning.
“I know Brighton has a lot of talent,” Durgin said. “They went to the Super Bowl a year ago against Mashpee. They’ve had a winning program consistently. Each time you advance in the state tournament it gets tougher and tougher.”
