Central Catholic rolls by Methuen
Scores two defensive TDs in third
METHUEN — In a shortened Fall 2 season, Central Catholic coach Chuck Adamopoulos said that nothing really feels familiar.
Well, his Raiders rounding into form and beating Merrimack Valley Conference foes has to feel a little back to normal.
In a complete effort, Central made plays on offense, defense and special teams in a dominant 35-7 win over Methuen on Friday night. The Raiders were in control throughout, taking a 21-0 lead at the break and scoring two defensive touchdowns in the third quarter. Now 3-0, Central looks forward to a game with BC High in what should be its toughest test of the season.
“This was a good win because they’re a good football team, and wellcoached,” Adamopoulos said. “And to come out in the second half with two defensive touchdowns, I was pumped about that. … It’s a crazy year, and it’s a grind. So I’m psyched when they come out and play like they did. This was a good one.”
There were not a lot of big plays for the Central offense, but the Raiders were never out of their element, scoring on all three of their first-half possessions.
The first drive was a 13play, 61-yard march that ended with a Matthias Latham 1-yard score.
Central then pushed it to 14-0 early in the second quarter, as junior quarterback Ayden Pereira dove in from a yard out.
Pereira then showed his patience on the next Central possession, as he took the checkdown and hit Nathel Achuo Jr. in the right flat, and there was no one there to stop him on a 15-yard catch and run.
For the game, Pereira completed 11-of-16 passes for 94 yards and the score.
He also rushed for 49 yards on 11 carries. The numbers weren’t big, but Pereira was always in control.
“We weren’t necessarily great on first down, so we were kind of getting behind the chains a little,” Pereira said. “They were kind of giving us that short stuff, and we took what they gave us.”
In the second half, Central’s offense didn’t need to do much, as the Raiders’ defense made the big plays. First, Preston Zinter sacked Methuen (2-1) quarterback Joe Gangi, and the ball popped loose to Tommy Casey, who returned it 47 yards for the touchdown.
On Methuen’s next possession, Central defensive lineman Uyi Osayimwen pressured Gangi, whose deflected pass went right into the arms of Nicholas Palmer, who returned the interception 38 yards for a score.
Anthony Romano helped the Rangers avoid the shutout with a 1-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.