LYNN— The Tech football team has come a long way in a short period of time.
Tech, blanked in its season opener two weeks ago, played a picture-perfect game across all phases Saturday in a 56-0 win over Minuteman at Manning Field.
“We needed this one,” Tech coach James Runner said. “We started the season with two tough games, back-to-back. I told the coaches and kids that regardless of where Minuteman is with it’s program, we just wanted to come out, do our job and play to our level. The penalties were held, which was big for us. No false starts. We really got after it in all phases.”
Haidar Bdaiwi carried the Tigers with a pair of first-quarter touchdown runs and another in the second quarter. Gabriel Perez and Josue Caceres each logged one rushing touchdown.
“We have Perez and Bdaiwi in the backfield and I think it’s important to balance it out,” Runner said. “They’re both threats. They can take it to the house any time. Haidar runs a bit more like Larry Csonka. He’s bulldozing people over. Perez is more of a slash and speed guy.”
Miguel Soto and Victor Bellamah hauled in one touchdown catch apiece from quarterback Luis Pineiro. Carlos Mateo scored on a blocked punt return.
Tech found the end zone four times in the opening quarter. Bdaiwi started the slugfest just two minutes into the game with a 12-yard touchdown sprint (PAT blocked). He followed with another touchdown run, this time from eight yards out, six minutes later (Bdaiwi PAT). Mateo scooped a blocked punt and returned it for a touchdown, boosting the lead to 20-0 after Bdaiwi’s PAT. Perez’s 30-yard rush gave Tech a 27-0 lead at the end of the first quarter (Bdaiwi PAT).
“Every coach wants to start fast,” Runner said. “I’m a defensive guy. We always defer to the second half, so it was good to stop them on the first possession, get the ball back and get Haidar going.
“We’ll fix a lot of things offensively. We know we’re going to get eight in the box on a consistent basis with our run game. The big thing is to get the points early and let our other guys get the ball.”
And the Tigers didn’t take their foot off the gas in the second quarter. Bdaiwi found the end zone from 11 yards out (Sebastian LeOrtiz PAT). Tech turned to its passing game midway through the period and found similar success with Bellamah reeling in a 5-yard touchdown pass from Pineiro (LeOrtiz). That sealed the first half with Tech up 41-0.
“The passing game was big this week,” Runner said. “We have a quick screen game and we have athletes on the outside. Victor’s a senior, he’s been in that position for three years. Miguel’s another guy we wanted to open up this week. Luis getting the ball out of his hands quickly is important for us.”
Pineiro’s 65-yard touchdown strike to Soto made it a 48-0 lead (LeOrtiz PAT) in the third quarter. Alex Akara’s string of carries drove Tech to Minuteman’s side of the field on its final possession. Caceres sealed the 56-0 win when he rumbled his way into the end zone from 30 yards away (Regner Nival rush).
Tech ended the afternoon with a program first.
“We had a female quarterback out on the field with a female on the offensive line,” Runner said. “Iranis Julio was in at quarterback at the end of the game. She handed the ball to (Caceres) on the last touchdown and Alondra was the blocking guard for it. That was big history for us. Alondra will be the first female to graduate as a 4-year program member and Iranis has been on the team for three years.”
The Tigers (2-1) host Mystic Valley Friday night (7).
