METHUEN – Methuen High couldn’t have picked a better night to dress everyone in its program, and invite a few hundred boys and girls from the town’s Pop Warner program.
The Rangers put on a show, rolling over a pretty good North Andover team, 53-22.
Arguably the state’s best running back, Shane Eason, scored a career-high five touchdowns, including three on the first three touches he got.
Quarterback Josh Danella was near perfect throwing the ball, completing 8 of 10 passes for 106 yards and a touchdown, all in the first half.
And while the defense got a little sloppy in the third quarter, probably due to the box-to-wire blowout, the Knights’ offense couldn’t come close to keeping up with Eason & Co.
Methuen jumped to a 28-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back.
“It was a perfect game for us, especially in the first half,” said Eason, who only rushed the ball seven times for 168 yards. “I get the ball and our offensive line is giving me great holes. It’s just so much fun playing with this team.”
Methuen improves to 4-1 and appears to be finding its way in all facets.
Particularly on offense.
“I’m in charge of the defense and special teams,” said Methuen coach Tom Ryan. “My offensive coordinator Ryan Dugan runs the offense. Honestly, the best thing I do is shut up and watch. It’s amazing what coach Dugan is doing with this group. It’s exciting to not only coach, but watch them.”
Danella’s two key targets, Adrian Blake (3 receptions, 50 yards) and Alex Santiago (3 receptions, 40 yards), got open when needed in that suffocating first half.
Blake made the most acrobatic play of the game, hauling in a 23-yard pass, turning his body completely around to make the catch.
The only thing Santiago didn’t do was score. But he also snared a beautiful interception deep in Methuen territory, high-pointing the ball and coming down with it.
North Andover, now 2-3, broke two long TD runs – Ben Isglesias for 57 yards and quarterback Billy Vincent for 61 yards – but couldn’t find an answer to containing Eason or Danella.
“Our line has been getting better every week and Shane is getting some space,” said Ryan. “When he gets room to run … forget about it. and our wide receivers are blocking well on the perimeter too. With a guy like Shane, those blocks can be the difference between a good run and a touchdown.”
Methuen has yet to be beaten in the MVC and has a showdown with Billerica next Friday night.
“Our defense has to be better,” said Ryan. “We have some work to do this week. But overall I’m happy. I mean we put up 53 points and won by 30. That’s a great night.”
Methuen 53, North Andover 22At Nicholson Stadium, Methuen
North Andover 7-0-15-0—22
Methuen 21-17-15-0—53
1Q
M – Shane Eason 27 run (Hicham Aboutoui kick), 4:51
M – Eason 1 run (Aboutoui kick), 4:33
M – Eason 71 run (Aboutoui kick), 2:05
2Q
M – Adrian Blake 23 pass from Josh Danella (Aboutoui kick), 11:06
NA – Ben Iglesias 57 run (kick), 9:37
M – Eason 57 run (Aboutoui kick), 9:37
M – Eason 1 run (Aboutoui kick), 4:33
M – Aboutoui 25 field goal, 0:00
3Q
M – Eason 60 run (Aboutoui kick), 11:42
NA – Billy Vincent 1 run (Conversion pass), 8:09
M – Mehki Lumsden 10 run (Lumsden rush), 3:23
NA – Vincent 61 run (kick), 2:03
4Q
No scoring
Stats
Leading rushers: NA (30 rushes, 245 yards): Iglesias 11-128, Vincent 18-120; M (26 rushes, 255 yards): Eason 7-168, Lumsden 7-26, Joshua Kwakye 5-22
Passing: NA – Vincent 2-for-8, 1 int., 4 yards; Austin Allen, 2-for-4, 42 yards; M – Danella 8-for-10, 1 TD, 106 yards
Leading receivers: NA – Marcus Peralta 2-42; M – Blake 3-50, Santiago 3-40