LYNN — Tech football coach James Runner likes to keep a balanced offensive attack.
That balance was certainly on display Saturday night when the Tigers featured eight different ball-carriers in a 34-6 win over Commonwealth Athletic Conference opponent Minuteman at Manning Field.
And it wasn’t just Tech’s running game that wore down the Mustangs. Saturday’s game was a highlight party for Tigers senior receiver/running back Giuliani Daniells, who caught three passes for 143 yards.
“We’ve been keeping (Giuliani) low-key,” Runner said. “He’s been a player for us. He had a kickoff return last year for us that people really forget about because of our two guys (Steffan Gravely and Keoni Gaskin). Giuliani’s a special player. He had a great week of practice.”
After an early Tech fumble, Daniells put the Tigers on the scoreboard when quarterback David Barrios (6-for-8, 148 yards) found him for a 71-yard touchdown pass with 4:14 to play in the first quarter. Ali Bdaiwi split the uprights on the PAT and Tech led 7-0, where it stayed at the end of the opening period.
“That touchdown pass was actually an audible from David,” Runner said. “David audibled it. He saw the coverage they were showing and he took advantage of it.
Giuliani’s a special player. He told us, ‘I’m feeling good about myself.’ It was good to get him moving a little bit.”
Minuteman crawled back into the fold with an 8-yard quarterback scramble into the end zone from Danny Johansen (conversion failed), making it a one-point game at 7-6.
“In all seriousness that touchdown was on us,” Runner said. “We had six penalties that brought them to our 15-yard line. They had a good little scene there. Hats off to their coach (Brian Tildsley). He kept them fighting the entire game.”
The Tigers returned the ensuing kick to Minuteman’s 33-yard line and made the most of the short field, ending their drive with a Haidar Bdaiwi (seven carries, 52 yards) 4-yard touchdown rush (Ali Bdaiwi PAT). Chance Buno (four carries, 35 yards) added a 4-yard touchdown in the closing seconds (conversion failed) and Tech held a 20-6 lead at halftime.
“The biggest thing for us is seeing what the defense gives us,” Runner said. “Buono’s more of an inside guy. We try to go off-tackle with him a little bit. Haidar’s another guy we try to keep inside. The speed from Giuliani and Elvin (Gonzalez) helps us give the defenses a couple things to matchup. They don’t know if we’re going inside or outside from the backfield.
“Chance gave us a lot of blocking opportunities,” Runner added. “That was really big for us. I think that gave us a lot of opportunities for Haidar.”
Haidar Bdaiwi moved the chains in the third quarter with runs of 32 and 13 yards, placing the Tigers in Minuteman territory. The efforts paid off when Haidar Bdaiwi powered his way into the end zone on a 1-yard carry, cushioning Tech’s edge to 26-6 (PAT blocked) with 5:21 to play in the period.
“What was really big for us was the third quarter,” Runner said. “I always feel that if we can come out in the third quarter, go out and score like we’re supposed to, we can keep the opposing team on its heels. I’m really happy about that.”
Tech sealed its scoring with 10:40 remaining in the fourth quarter on Buono’s 15-yard touchdown run for the 34-6 final.
The Tigers host CAC rival Northeast Saturday morning (10) at Manning.
“The rivalry between between Tech and Northeast is nothing small,” Runner said. “We beat them for the first time in my (coaching) career at their home last year. I’m sure they’ll come here ready to play.”
Tech celebrated its annual homecoming night Saturday, honoring its seniors during a ceremony at halftime.
