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Bartlett, Methuen making history

Friday, November, 07 By David Willis
Staff writer

METHUEN — Talk about a fast start.

Just 1:31 into the game, Methuen had already caused two turnovers and Mike Bartlett turned them into a pair of touchdowns as the Rangers went on to down pesky Haverhill 28-6 last night.

“We wanted to score quick and get the game going,” said Bartlett. “But this start was amazing. It just kept us pumped the whole game. We are all so happy.”

With the victory, the Rangers improved to 4-2 in the Merrimack Valley Conference (5-4 overall). That clinched their first .500 league record since the 2002 season. One more victory would give them their first winning MVC season since 1998.

“This just means so much,” said Bartlett. “It means everything to the program and to everyone. We all deserve it after all the work that we have done over the years. Celebrating after a win is just amazing.”

Bartlett led the way, carrying 18 times for 154 yards. The senior now has 1,076 yards for the season, becoming the first Methuen back to break 1,000 yards since The Eagle-Tribune began keeping the record in 1994. He also took over No. 2 in the area.

The senior tri-captain got off to a quick start against the Hillies. Haverhill took the opening kickoff, but fumbled on its first play from scrimmage. Two plays later, Bartlett broke free for a 17-yard touchdown. The Hillies then fumbled the following kickoff, and on Methuen’s first play Bartlett ran for a 32-yard score.

Bartlett added the Rangers’ final score with 5:57 left in the third on a 6-yard run. He now leads the area with 18 touchdowns for the year. His twin brother Matt Bartlett was 6 of 14 throwing for 106 yards and a touchdown and Pat Phillion made four grabs for 87 yards.

When the Methuen offense hit a tough spot, the defense was up to the challenge. The Rangers held Haverhill quarterback Tim Nutter, playing in place of injured starter Isiah Ocasio, to just 3 of 14 throwing and fullback Dan Triplett to just 3 yards rushing.

“The defense played great tonight,” said Bartlett. “We should have done more on offense, but the linebackers did an awesome job of filling and they played really well.”

Kyle Hudson made a team-high seven tackles and recovered a fumble while Tomasz Dziedzic had six stops. Jason Doyle added a sack and recovered a fumble and Matt Gordon had a sack to go with three stops.

“It was a great win for us,” said Dziedzic. “Our defense came up big. They have a great running back, but this is our year. Our work is paying off. We just wanted to stop the QB and stop the fullback.”

The bright spot for Haverhill was halfback Noel Figuero. The senior rushed 16 times for 120 yards, including a 76-yard touchdown as time expired in the half.

Malcolm Novello also made the defensive stop of the game. On fourth down, Methuen’s Joenrry Acosta made a catch at the Hillies’ 1-yard line, but Novello tackled him short of the goal line for a turnover on downs. Nutter also picked off a pass.

“Haverhill is a very tough team and played us hard,” said Methuen coach Pat Graham. “But they had some turnovers early, and it is tough to play from behind.”