Week 3 HS football preview: Tyngsboro seniors motivated to keep winning

Over the last few years, Tyngsboro High’s senior football players have gone through their shares of ups and downs.

Last week was an up, a solid 24-13 win over Oxford.

This Friday at home (7 p.m.), the seniors want to continue that up trend against Mid-Wach E opponent Ayer Shirley.

“When the seniors played at the youth level, they did not win many games and were trying to learn how to win,” said THS head coach Rob Beaudette. “In eighth grade, they played a mostly JV schedule and learned how to be physical and over the last three seasons most of them have been on the field contributing to consecutive playoff berths.”

Now with the emergence of some talented underclassmen, the senior group led by captains TJ Bradford, Nico Fareta, Cole Latour and Jaden Merwin, as well as fellow seniors Nick Palumbo, Jacob Dorant, Shamus Mulligan, Jeremy Sanzo, Adrian Otieno and Dawson Vosburg, need to have big games if the Tigers want to go 2-0.

“We have veteran players on both sides of the ball that have been starting for two or three years,” said Beaudette. “These players are going to be expected to rely on their experience but also improve off of the last game individually in order to ensure a winning outcome.”

Ayer Shirley, which defeated Littleton, 22-8 last week, is led by a strong trio of running backs in Manny Gabino (139 yards, 1 TD), Dylan Bergen (68 yards, TD) and Anthony Carpentier (46 yards, TD).

“Ayer Shirley is a well-coached team that has a ton of pride and tradition in their program,” said Beaudette. “They are low on numbers, but what they lack in numbers, they make up for in effort and team chemistry. Their offensive versatility can present problems for defenses and with having a mobile quarterback can create a numbers game that can be advantageous to them. They have a tough group of linemen that are physical and have speed on the perimeter.”

The Panthers are also strong on defense led by defensive end Mathias Pallaird and linebacker Jake Pitsios, who is coming off a 10-tackle season-opening performance.

“As a squad we have faced adversity with some injuries to an already short roster,” said Ayer Shirley head coach Billy Naylor. “For us to have a chance to win vs. Tyngsboro we must eat the clock and get first downs. Defensively, we must tackle and not give up any big plays.”

Lucky 13

Area teams will be involved in 13 other matchups over the next three days.

On Thursday, Lowell Catholic (0-1) will attempt to pull off an upset at Whittier Tech (1-0).

On Friday, Nashoba Tech (2-0) will take on Stoneham (2-0), led by former Wilmington High coach Bob Almeida, who last week won his 100th game with the Spartans after accomplishing the feat with the Wildcats.

Tewksbury (1-0) will take on a strong Methuen team (2-0), which will be playing without QB Josh Danella, who is out for the season with a broken collarbone. Redmen QB Will Harrison had a very impressive varsity debut two weeks ago in a win over Winthrop.

Other potential gems are Chelmsford (0-1) at Andover (1-0), Westford Academy (0-1) at Billerica (0-1)

Rounding out the action: Wilmington (1-0) at Saugus (0-1); Greater Lowell at Fitchburg (0-1); Blackstone (0-1) at Groton-Dunstable (1-1); Winthrop (0-2) at Shawsheen Tech (2-0); Windham (0-2) at Alvirne (0-2); Hanover (1-1) at Pelham (2-0); and Littleton (0-1) at St. Paul (1-0).

On Saturday, Lowell (1-0) will host New Bedford (0-1).

In case you missed it

Wilmington defeated Essex Tech behind senior captain/linebacker Timmy Watson, who had two sacks and a huge tackle on a fourth down stop. The offensive line of Noah Matton, Adam Veliz, Josue Rivera, Watson, Gabe Borges, Nelvin Panackeel and Pat DeLucia all played extremely well, opening holes for Gus Lambert, Julian Martins and Ayden Bellevy, who combined for 172 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

“The guys on the offensive line have worked extremely hard during the preseason and have gotten better as a unit each week. They have embraced a blue-collar mentality and should continue to improve as the season moves along,” said first-year head coach Joe Cavanaugh.

Nashoba Tech sophomore running back Zack Deschenes continues to dazzle. In two games, he has 18 carries for 318 yards and five rushing touchdowns. He also has a pair of interception returns for TDs and an 80-yard kickoff return TD. He certainly will be tested this week against Stoneham and next week when the Vikings face Catholic Memorial.

Elsewhere, Shawsheen Tech’s James Banda had another big game with 85 rushing yards and three TD’ in a win over Lynnfield. Pelham’s Ben Maslanek finished with 98 rushing yards and three scores, while teammate Luke Draper had 85 rushing yards, a touchdown, a 17-yard reception, a two-point conversion and six tackles in the team’s 47-0 thumping over Hanover.

The Sun’s Top 5

1. Shawsheen Tech: Still the defending champs and still undefeated.

2. Pelham: Still the defending New Hampshire state finalists and still undefeated.

3. Tewksbury: Have huge test this week with the Methuen Rangers. Huge.

4. Nashoba Tech: Did we say huge test? Vikings take on perennial state power Stoneham.

5. Lowell: Big win over Westford – this team is knocking on the MVC door.