The number is burned into Gustavo Varela’s mind — 2,000 rushing yards in a single season.
Each of the past two years, the Greater Lawrence Tech star has run tantalizingly close to history — 1,912 rushing yards as sophomore, 1,948 rushing yards last fall — only to fall painfully short.
So, with one more shot at the legendary mark — which only one area back has topped since 2012 — in a Reggies uniform, Varela is hungrier than ever.
“I’m motivated like never before,” he said. “It’s been extremely frustrating being so close to 2,000 yards the last two years. It’s always been a goal of mine, and to be so close was really hard mentally for me. Rushing for 2,000 this year would be a sigh of relief. And I want to do it while helping my team win games and earn a playoff appearance.”
Varela will kick off his quest for 2,000 yards when Greater Lawrence opens its season on Friday by traveling to Wakefield for a 6 p.m. kickoff.
And when the four-year starter takes the field, another historic mark will be just two yards away.
With 4,566 career rushing yards, Varela is poised to break the Eagle-Tribune’s All-Time career rushing record of 4,568 yards, set by Salem High legend Jerickson Fedrick in 2012.
“I think that would be great for my legacy,” he said. “Having any sort of record, especially one of that magnitude is huge. It will forever have me in the record books, and everyone will remember me and my hard work.”
While Varela possesses elite speed — the Eagle-Tribune track All-Star won the Commonwealth Conference titles in both the 100-meter (11.03, second in area) and 200-meter (22.76) this past spring — it is also a relentless running style that has led him to the top of the area mountain.
He led the area in rushing attempts as a sophomore with 245, and topped that with 251 carries as a junior.
“All the carries I’ve accumulated over the past three years have beaten up my body,” said Varela, who has scored 55 career touchdowns. “I’ve dealt with plenty plenty injuries. But I’ve been blessed to not miss a game because of them. Track has helped me so much. That speed you build in track translates to the football field. And my speed is what makes me the player I am. Also, who doesn’t like a couple extra metals in his room?”
And while the records are sweet, Varela has his eyes set on lighting up the win column.
“The sky is the limit for the team,” he said. “We have put in so much work, and the change in the culture of this team has been massive. I’m very confident in my guys and I wouldn’t change what we have for anything. There is no feeling like those Friday Night Lights. The atmosphere, the noise, the energy. It’s like no other. I’m very excited to feel that again. The adrenaline rush is like no other! and I can guarantee you we will be making some noise.”
Padilla wins Reggie QB battle
After a fierce battle throughout the summer, Zion Padilla has won the starting QB job for Greater Lawrence, beating out a pair of strong sophomores. Padilla performed well in a role a year ago, throwing for 769 yards with nine TD in the Reggies’ run-heavy offense.
Greater Lawrence returns 10 players from last year’s squad, including three starting offensive lineman in Jordan Colon, Jaydin Amil and Esmanny Acosta. Leading the defense will be the likes of linebackers Jayden Moreau and Yavian Maldonado.
“It’s been a very challenging offseason for the team, and we’re looking to showcase that chemistry on the field,” said head coach Tony Sarkis. “They have been doing all the little things right under this year’s motto, ‘Leave no stone unturned.’”
Allen leads Whittier
After surging to an 8-4 record and earning a trip to the State Vocational title game a year ago, Whittier is ready to turn that experience into even more success in 2025.
The Wildcats return plenty off offensive firepower in Eagle-Tribune All-Star Noah Allen. In his first year as a starter last fall, Allen rushed for 1,226 yards and scored 14 touchdowns, while also excelling at defensive back and earning All-Commonwealth Conference first-team honors.
“He always found a way to prove to opponents he could not be stopped. He took pride in that,” said coach Kevin Bradley of Allen, a speedster who finished third in the 100-meter (11.39) at the CAC championship in the spring.
Other standouts back include Nate Comeau, David Mercier — who led the dramatic, game-saving, goal-line stop in the State Vocational semifinals — and Mateus Paixao.
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