LYNN — With seasoned leaders and a promising young core, the Lynn Tech Tigers are aiming to make their mark under longtime head coach James Runner.
Now in his 16th season, Runner said he’s encouraged by what he’s seen during camp.
“I think this group is loaded with potential,” he said. “We have some guys who are only sophomores, who will be big contributors to our team. We have good leadership with our seniors like Colin McGough and Jacob Garcia. Those are two seniors returning from last year that played a big role, offensively and defensively.”
In recent years, players like Joshua Lewis and Eli Ramirez have helped set the tone, demanding accountability from younger teammates. Now, that influence is showing in how the next wave carries itself, according to Runner.
At Tech’s forefront is quarterback Jadiel Ortega, a three-year starter who first took snaps as an eighth grader.
“Jadiel is our prime guy,” Runner said. “He’s a super athlete who works his tail off behind the scenes. This is his third year as a starter and he’s ready to take another step forward.”
The Tigers also return center Jeffrey Moore-Thayer, a veteran with equal impact on both sides of the ball.
“His knowledge is incredible and so is his work ethic,” Runner said. “He dropped about 50 pounds in the offseason and it really shows. He’ll contribute big time on the defensive side, too.”
Twins Anthony and Tyler Brown have stood out, according to Runner, for their toughness and relentless effort.
“They’re, lowkey, two of the hardest-working kids I’ve had in a long time,” he said. “They’re extremely tough and explosive, and it’s pretty cool to have twins on the roster.”
But the path won’t be easy, with Commonwealth Athletic Conference heavyweights like Nashoba Tech and KIPP Academy on the schedule.
Runner said keys will be staying disciplined, healthy, and focused through the early stretch.
“We can’t get ahead of ourselves. My strength and conditioning coach wants to make sure we stay in the weight room to keep our strength up. Our overall goal is to play in the playoffs.”
Beyond wins and losses, Runner stressed that character and academics are parts of his program’s foundation.
“You have good character first, student second, then athlete third,” he said. “That’s the way it’s been since day one when I took over the program. We’re making sure they leave as better men and that their education is correct — that is more important to me than wins and losses.”
It’s also the first preseason playing on a new practice field behind the school, a project years in the making.
“We, as a staff and team at Lynn Tech, are really happy about the work that was done,” Runner said of McManus Field. “I’ve been here 16 years, and it was never easy to coach on the old field – between the potholes and glass. As a person who loves the City of Lynn, I’m really proud of what was done to make this happen. When it happened, it changed everything.”
