Methuen, Dedham capture regional titles
EXETER, N.H. >> Methuen came into Saturday’s Northeast 7v7 North regional as a wanted team. With regional wins in each of the last two years, the Rangers were not sneaking up on anyone.
Would the Rangers have enough firepower to do it again? Why, of course they would.
Methuen beat Central (R.I.) in the open division final at Exeter High School to grab the program’s third straight Northeast 7v7 regional title. The Rangers will have a chance to compete for the New England title.
Dedham won the small school crown.
“I think we have a depth of skill kids,” Methuen coach Tom Ryan said. “That’s what you need. It’s so hot. If you have a lot of depth at the skill positions, you’ve got a chance. If you don’t, the heat will get you. And, having a great quarterback helps, too.”
That great quarterback was rising senior Drew Eason. He was tremendous, and is poised for a big year. He picked apart a good Central team in the final, with accuracy on short throws and touch on deep ones. Massachusetts is loaded with talented signal-callers, and Eason is in that top group.
“Honestly, we have a lot of talented players and a great coaching staff, that’s for sure,” Eason said. “We always want to compete. We always want more, and just keep fighting and striving for the better and more. We never settle for failure. We always want success.”
Other players who stepped up for Methuen were running back Shane Eason, running back/wide receiver Josh Kwakye, tight end Nolan Smith, and wide receivers Aidan O’Shaughnessy and Kian Greeley.
Central had a great day to reach the final, led by defensive back Demetrius Outland, wide receiver Joseph Forbes, quarterback Avani Rodrigues and running back Ramel Richard.
In the small final, Dedham turned away Tewksbury, as Marauders defensive back AJ Pinet made a great break on the ball to force a turnover on the last defensive possession.
In addition to Pinet, linebackers Thomas Quinn and Will Fitzgerald, wide receiver/running back/ safety Gianni Gasbarro, quarterback Joe Gaffredo and cornerback/wide receiver Ben Bogie all had strong days.
“He’s a special player,” Dedham coach Mike Cloutier said of Pinet. “I can’t speak highly enough of AJ Pinet and who he is. He’s the heart and soul of our team as a 16-year-old kid. He does it both ways. He’s just very passionate about this thing. He’s passionate, he cares, and he works his butt off. Doesn’t surprise me.”
For Tewksbury, quarterback Vinny Ciancio had a great day. Tailback/linebacker Hunter Johnson played well, as did safety Braydon Aylward, safety/wide receiver Colby Flahive and wide receiver/cornerback Cam Kearney.