TEWKSBURY – The Methuen Rangers knew what they were getting into.
Prior to facing off against one of the top football teams in the state in Tewksbury, Methuen began the season with an impressive 2-0 start.
The Redmen, however, are a different breed compared to Methuen’s previous opponents.
Losing starting quarterback Josh Danella and backup Dylan Conway didn’t hurt the Rangers through their first two games, but it certainly did at Tewksbury.
With -1 yards of total offense heading into the second quarter, it was indicative of what it means to lose a starting quarterback like Danella.
Methuen held tough, but ultimately fell to the Redmen, 28-6.
“We’ve been lucky, we had a ton of mistakes in our first two games, but it came back to haunt us tonight,” said Methuen coach Ryan Dugan. “With our situation at quarterback, we have to play extremely well defensively, and take care of the ball.”
Tewksbury flexed their muscles from the opening kickoff, draining nearly 11 minutes of clock in the first quarter, and quickly took a 14-0 lead early in the second quarter, despite Methuen’s offense having only three offensive plays to that point.
While Methuen was down to running back Caiden Hartley-Didio under center, Dugan’s staff wasn’t afraid to let him throw the pigskin.
Despite it being Hartley-Didio’s first start at quarterback, he held his own, finding Josh DeFatima on a highlight 52 yard pass in the first half, and completing 7 passes on the night for 125 yards.
“Caiden played awesome tonight, and he made plenty of great throws,” said Dugan. “For him, playing quarterback for the first time at this level, he looked amazing. We knew he could throw it a little bit, and he showed it tonight.”
Hartley-Didio’s 11 yard rushing touchdown cut Tewksbury’s lead to 8, but the Redmen stormed right back with another touchdown.
Methuen began the second half with the ball, and looked on their way to making it a one possession game again, thanks to a deep 60-yard pass from Hartley-Didio to Cole Smith.
However, the Rangers had a turn over on downs, and were unable to score the rest of the game.
With Danella out for the season, Dugan confirmed the quarterback job is Hartley-Didio’s the rest of the way, if healthy.
Now on a key bye week, Methuen’s goal is to clean up those mistakes, and help the junior get more comfortable under center.
“We have a ton of guys dinged up, so this is a much needed break to get healthy,” said Dugan. “With Andover and Central coming up, this isn’t going to get any easier, so we have to try and find a way to come together.
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Tewksbury 28, Methuen 6First Quarter:
T — Jonny Sulivan 24 pass from Will Harrison (Jackson Feudo kick), 5:39
Second Quarter:
T — Ben Christopher 49 run (Feudo kick), 10:52
M — Caiden Hartley-Didio 11 run (kick blocked), 9:02
T — Christopher 6 pass from Harrison (Feudo kick), 5:50
Fourth Quarter:
T — Jake Burns 21 pass from Harrison (Feudo kick), 9:44
INDIVIDUAL STATS
RUSHING:
Caiden Hartley-Didio 7-23, Ali Kalle 4-8, Tim Dornezon 1-0
PASSING:
Caiden Hartley-Didio: 7-for-15, 125 yards; Tim Dornezon: 0-1, INT; Bryce Cregg: 0-1, INT
RECEIVING:
Tim Dornezon 3-12, Ali Kalle 2-1, Cole Smith 1-60, Josh DeFatima 1-52,