LYNN — Utter domination.
The Tech football team pitched its second shutout in as many weeks with a 38-0 win over Mystic Valley Friday night at Manning Field.
Defensively, the Tigers had no trouble with Mystic Valley’s run-heavy offense.
“We were prepared for the single-wing look because we saw it against Minuteman,” Tech coach James Runner said. “We knew coming into the game that Mystic Valley lost a lot of players that they wanted to give the ball to. It was big for us to have the game that we had defensively. It’s our second shutout. We’re trying to keep that rolling. (Defensive coordinator) Jason McCuish put a good game plan together and it worked for us.”
The 1-2 backfield punch of Haidar Bdaiwi and Gabriel Perez combined for all six Tech touchdowns (three each). Bdaiwi logged six carries and tallied 128 rushing yards. Perez ran the ball three times for 100 yards.
“We want to keep that tide rolling,” Runner said. “When Tech has two explosive running backs that are running well, we have a lot of success. That’s a testament to offensive coordinator Alan Bercy. He had an idea of what he wanted to do this year. He went in with a different plan, and Haidar and Gabriel were ready for it.”
When throws were there to be made, quarterback Luis Pineiro made them. Pineiro completed five of eight pass attempts for 78 yards.
Carlos Mateo reeled in two catches for 51 yards.
“We have the passing game,” Runner said. “We’ve been hesitant to show it to everyone because it’s something we’re saving. But overall, it was nice to see Luis get the ball out to Carlos.”
Tech’s defense stuffed Mystic Valley on the game’s opening drive and the Tigers went to work on the ensuing possession. Perez, on Tech’s second offensive play, ran in a 45-yard touchdown to put the Tigers up 6-0 (PAT missed).
Then Bdaiwi joined in on the fun. Pineiro fed Bdaiwi a pitch and the latter did the rest, taking it 36 yards to the end zone for a 13-0 Tigers lead (Sebastian LeOrtiz PAT) before the end of the quarter.
Touchdown runs of 60 and five yards from Bdaiwi stretched Tech’s lead to 25-0 in the second quarter (both PAT’s missed). Perez sealed the half with a 5-yard touchdown rush, giving the Tigers a comfortable 32-0 lead (LeOrtiz PAT) at recess.
It was much of the same after halftime. On the first offensive play of the second half, Perez took a handoff and sprinted 50 yards into the end zone (PAT missed).
The Eagles marched to Tech’s 35 on their final possession but an incomplete pass on fourth-and-long preserved the 38-0 shutout.
Tech has a bye next week and returns to action Oct. 11 (7) with another Commonwealth Conference tilt at Chelsea.
“We’re going to get ready for Chelsea,” Runner said. “We’re going to treat it like a Thanksgiving game. We’re going to give the kids a few days off and then we’re going to hit the weight room hard. We’ll scout everyone (next Friday). I’m looking forward to it.”
