LYNN — Despite holding a 16-7 lead in the final minutes of the first half, the Lynn Tech football team saw its offense stall and its defense bend in a 32-22 loss to Manchester-Essex at Manning Field Saturday afternoon.
Running back Regner Nival led the scoring attack in the loss for the Tigers, rushing for two touchdowns on the day. Running back Michael Monbleu added a rushing touchdown, while quarterback Tyler David rushed for more than 100 yards in the loss. Dom Giordano added one reception for 33 yards.
Although the Tigers allowed a touchdown on Manchester-Essex’s opening possession, Tech took the ball and absolutely grinded things out for the majority of the first quarter. Tech went on a marathon 14-play, 74-yard drive that ate up an eye-popping 9:12 of the game clock — eventually capping things off with a three-yard touchdown run from Nival. After Nival added the two-point conversion, the Tigers held an 8-7 lead.
The power run game continued to pay dividends for Tech in the second quarter. After the Tigers defense forced a turnover on downs to get the ball back, Tech drove down the field for another long drive before Monbleu scored on a 10-yard touchdown run to make it a 16-7 game.
But that’s when things started turning in Manchester-Essex’s direction. A big kickoff return set the Hornets up in Tech territory, then Henry Thurlow made an incredible one-handed diving catch in the end zone for a 25-yard score to make it 16-13 with 5:44 to play in the half. Manchester-Essex then forced a punt on the ensuing possession and took over at its own five-yard line with three minutes to go. The Hornets drove the length of the field in just four plays, eventually getting a 39-yard touchdown reception from AJ Pallazola to give Manchester-Essex a 19-16 lead at the halftime break.
Things didn’t go any better for Tech in the second half, as the Tigers were forced to punt on their opening possession and Pallazola immediately took the kick back 52 yards for a touchdown to make it 25-16.
It was a tough go for the Tech offense the rest of the way, as Manchester-Essex made a number of adjustments and forced three straight three-and-outs. The Hornets then capitalized on the other end, with Brennan Twombly rounding out the scoring with a one-yard touchdown plunge in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.
Tech (0-3) will look to get back on track Friday night (7) on the road at Georgetown.
