LA hammers down BB&N
Big impact by Martin, Luchetti
GROTON — Entering the year as one of the top-ranked Independent School League teams in New England, Lawrence Academy hit the ground running to open its season against reigning NEPSAC champion Buckingham Browne & Nichols.
The host Spartans were engaged from the opening kickoff, which was returned 75 yards by freshman Tony Muse, en route to a 38-17 victory over BB&N.
Lawrence Academy, which graduated superstar running back Jay Dillon last year, was sparked by quarterback Brady Martin and tight end Joseph Luchetti.
“I love how our captains responded today,” said LA coach Paul Zukauskas. “Those guys are great athletes and great leaders, and that’s what we’re going to need from them this year, this was a good start.”
Martin completed 12-of17 passes for 161 yards and a touchdown. Luchetti helped move the offense down the field with four receptions covering 132 yards.
Luchetti was a force on both sides of the football, consistently getting his hands in the face of BB&N quarterback Ryan Eamer, batting away multiple pass attempts at the line.
“Joe is a special athlete, he’s elite,” Zukauskas said. “He’s in a new role, being a leader, being a senior, that’s what we expect of him because we know that’s the kind of player he can be.”
Luchetti also forced and recovered a fumble with the Knights knocking on the door late in the first half.
That wasn’t all for Luchetti, who also provided three booming punts for LA to put the Knights in poor field position most of the day.
Despite a late push by BB&N the Spartans held strong on defense to the final whistle. The only touchdown by BB&N’s offensive unit against the LA defense came with a mere three seconds remaining in the game.
LA had a pair of late scores thanks first to a 79-yard scoring run by Joshua Arruda, who finished with 102 yards and two touchdowns on just four carries. Also, LA cornerback Spencer Aronson returned an interception 41 yards for a touchdown.