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Lawrence defense must stop Adames

The players love it, the coaches want it, and the community is growing to enjoy it.

Still, the future of Lawrence High-Greater Lawrence Tech remains a mystery.

"I'm not sure what will happen, we're hearing different things," said Tony Sarkis, whose 10-0 Reggies host the Lancers at Gleason Field tomorrow.

"The kids on both sides definitely enjoy playing in this game. These are their friends, the kids they've grown up with. A win in this game is more special than any other in the regular season."

Greater Lawrence, behind All-Scholastic candidate and 2,069-yard rusher Nate Adames, has locked up the Commonwealth Large title and awaits an opponent from the Cape Ann Small next week in the EMass Division 3A semifinals.

Don't expect the Reggies to hold anything back in lieu of the postseason.

"Oh, no, this one means everything to our kids," said Sarkis, whose club won a Turkey Day thriller over the Lancers last year to improve to 4-7-1 over their rivals, 2-6-1 on the holiday. "It's very important for us to win this game."

While Lawrence comes in with a 2-8 mark, the Lancers can score, averaging 17.5 points a game on the year.

"Their two receivers (Demetri Brown and Alex Andrews) might be the best two receivers in the state," lauded Sarkis. Both juniors, Brown (7 TD catches) enters this one with 33 catches for 583 yards and Andrews has 35 grabs for 495 yards.

Ramon Heredia, also a junior, has flourished in the Lancer spread attack, hitting 114 of 220 passes for 1,461 yards. Defensively, the Lancers have endured more than their share of woes especially against the run, allowing 29.1 points a game.

It is there where Adames and the Reggies hope to control the action.

"Adames is a very good back, and they're very good up front," said Lancer coach Mike Yameen. "That's a very good football team. You know, with Greater Lawrence being undefeated, a win against them would make our season."

Did you know? Lawrence is giving up 249.4 rushing yards a game on 40.5 carries, an average of 6.2 yards per carry. The Lancers have allowed four 100-yard rushers, a 200-yard rusher and a pair of 300-yard rushers.