LYNN — Once the Lynn Tech football train leaves the station, it’s almost impossible to stop it.
The Tigers steamrolled another opponent Saturday night, this time with a 35-0 walloping of New Mission, in the MIAA Division 8 North semifinal. They will play for the North title this weekend against Cathedral (times and dates still have to be sorted out, as English and St. Mary’s have also reached the sectional finals) at Manning Field.
This was another tour de force game for Tech’s Steffan Gravely, who has lit his opponents on fire in every game he’s played this season for the 9-0 Tigers. This time, he ran for 150 yards and three touchdowns, and caught two passes. He was also a vital part of the Tech defense that stifled the Titans, limiting them to only 68 yards of total offense.
“My offense always works hard,” said Tech coach James Runner. “But tonight, our defense was magnificent.”
Other leaders included Elvin Gonzalez, who broke up four passes, and middle linebacker Emerson Ramirez, who had seven tackles and two sacks.
Gravely’s performance on offense was made more necessary by the fact that his running mate, Keoni Gaskin, was hobbled with an ankle injury that kept getting aggravated.
As is its custom this season, Tech pounced on the Titans early and kept the pressure on.
After committing a turnover on its first possession, the Tigers got the ball back when Gonzalez picked off a New Mission pass. Gravely took over the show, running for 42 yards in three plays — the final one a 3-yard touchdown run.
The Tigers were right back at it after a bad snap on a punt gave them the ball on the Mission 18. It took the Tigers three plays, with Gravely running in the final eight yards. Kicker Jamie James, perfect on five extra-point attempts, made it 14-0.
Tech scored once more in the first half — and once again, it was Gravely doing the honors. This drive was more of a sustained effort, as Tech ran off 43 yards in seven plays. Gravely ran in the final nine.
There was no slowing the Tigers in the second half as they kept the ball on the ground and kept New Mission from gaining any kind of a foothold. Midway through the third quarter, Tech blocked a Titan punt, giving the Tigers a golden opportunity to pad its lead. They took it, with Gonzalez punching through the line for a 10-yard run.
After that, New Mission penetrated down to the Tech 21, but ran out of steam, giving the Tigers the ball back one final time. Chance Buono made sure he made the most of it, scoring on a 17-yard run.
Aside from praising his team, Runner wanted to put a good word in for his coaches.
“We don’t sleep much planning for these games,” he said, “but when you see this, it’s all worth it.
“We know we have a tough team to prepare for next week,” he said. “And we’re going to do what we always do: work and prepare.”
