LYNN — What’s the best way to start a football game?
If you ask St. Mary’s coach Sean Driscoll, whose No. 8 Spartans raced by No. 9 Greater Lawrence Tech 48-13 Friday night, he might point to what Michael Sherman did to kick off the Division 5 tournament.
Sherman returned the opening kickoff 92 yards to the house — an early gift for St. Mary’s fans fighting the cold at Manning Field.
“Every coach in the world wants to start a game like that,” Driscoll said. “He’s (Sherman) been close the last couple weeks, so it was good.”
Sherman’s return and a following three-and-out from the defense were two telling chapters of a dominant book. Big plays and a strong run defense catapulted the Spartans to the Round of 8, where they’ll face top-ranked Shawsheen Valley Tech (TBD).
“It’s going to be there next week and it’ll be one of the better games, I think, in Eastern Mass. if we can play and contain them like we did last time,” said Driscoll, referring to a 14-7 loss against Shawsheen in October. “We’re feeling good and, hopefully, we can keep it rolling.”
Speaking of feeling good, quarterback Yaniel Belliard (140 yards rushing) took charge Friday. His 16-yard rushing touchdown put the Spartans up 14-0 midway through the opening quarter.
“He’s turned into a nice leader for us, making some plays,” Driscoll said.
Greater Lawrence cut the lead in half with a rushing touchdown (14-7) during the second quarter, but the hosts responded in style.
Belliard bolted for a 63-yard rushing touchdown up the gut (21-7). From there, with less than a minute remaining in the first half, Rowan Merryman (37 yards rushing) muscled one in from a yard out.
After Ryan Esquivel’s (6 for 7) point after, St. Mary’s took a 28-7 lead into halftime. Greater Lawrence was held to 54 yards rushing and just two completions during the first half.
“We needed a game like this to get going — especially this time of year,” Driscoll said. “They had a good week of practice and were ready to go. Getting a home game was huge for us.”
The third quarter came with some trickery. On fourth down, Belliard rolled to his right and looked downfield for a deep ball before tossing a throwback screen to Merryman, who took it 32 yards to the end zone (35-7).
A pair of third-quarter rushing touchdowns from Tyren Hoeun (94 yards) helped put a lid on Greater Lawrence’s season. The fourth quarter was scoreless.
“I’m proud of my guys,” said Driscoll, whose defense was led by Jack Hurley’s two sacks. “During the year, we had that tough schedule in the middle there. Now, we’re starting to get healthy and get people rolling.
“We’re definitely a different team.”
