Game of the Week Recap: Methuen - Billerica

     The word great is constantly and carelessly tossed around in the world of sports.  A tough catch is instantly deemed a "great grab."  A hit that makes a louder sound than normal is a "great hit."  But great should be preserved for something a little bit above extraordinary.  Great should be used to describe something you marvel at, something that keeps you on the edge of your seat, something you would pay to see time and time again.  Last night, two truly great teams squared off.  Nothing I, or anyone else, can write will do justice to the performance Methuen and Billerica put on for its fans.  It was, in every sense of the word, great.  In the end, Methuen was the team who had that little extra something that propelled them.

     The game opened with Billerica grinding out a drive that spanned roughly 6 minutes.  The play calling was impressive, as they gave Methuen a steady mix of run and pass, keeping them off balance in the process.  The drive was capped by an impeccably thrown 29 yard touchdown pass from junior Nick LeSpada to sophomore Matt Clifford. 
     Methuen would answer right back.  Senior Cal Carrol marched the Rangers down the field, with junior running back Ryan Savastano finishing off the drive with a powerful 3-yard run.  The extra point sailed wide right, resulting in a 7-6 Billerica lead.
     Methuen would force Billerica into a rare three and out, then put together their second scoring drive.  This one would show off the potent connection of Carrol to fellow senior (and good friend) Raudy Minaya.  On second and 8, Carrol hit Minaya on a slant route.  Minaya broke Clifford's tackle attempt, then left the rest of the Billerica defense in his wake as he finished off the 51 yard score, putting Methuen back up 13-7.
     After trading 3 and outs, LeSpada led the Indians on a late scoring drive, hooking up with senior and fellow captain senior Ryan Donohoe at the 1:14 mark.  Billerica would take a 14-13 lead into halftime.
     Billerica would do the same in the third, using the run and pass to spread out the Methuen D a bit.  Lespada scored on a 9 yard jaunt, but it was the point after attempt that proved to set the temp for the rest of the game.
     On Steve Trask's attempt, the Rangers were able to block the kick, with the ball ending up in senior Mike Harper's hands.  Harper would race 93 yards to bring the score to 20-15, and breathe the life into Methuen that would eventually carry them to their victory.
     On their ensuring possession, the Carrol to Minaya connection was back on display.  After using their patented zone-read to move the ball to about mid-field, Caroll found a wide-open Minaya on a 61 yard touchdown off a well executed play action fake.  The extra point put Methuen back on top, 22-20.
     LeSpada wasn't done.  He put his team back up with an 87 yard drive that was punctuated with Matt Clifford going over a defender for a catch, then turning on the jets to finish off the 56 yard strike.

    The last laugh, however, would be Carrol's.  Methuen, who's offensive line was undoubtedly the biggest factor last night, ran Savastano and Carrol right back down the field.  Every play their was either a hole for Savastano, or a lane for Carrol.  The one time they were forced to pass, Minaya came up with a big 28 yard grab on 3rd and 8.  With a little over a minute to go, Carrol took the snap off tackle and scored what would be the game winning touchdown. 

Some notes from this instant classic...

Billerica

• Nick LeSpada is as advertised.  He's fast, has a tremendous arm, and can lead.  Two plays stood out.  The first was his first touchdown pass of the game.  As Clifford was coming out his break on a corner route, LeSpada put the ball exactly where it needed to be, away from the middle safety and over the corner.  Not sure if there is another quarterback in the state who can make that throw.  The play that impressed me the most was his pick to end the first half.  After Minaya was able to break down his first defender, LeSpada came over from the safety position, out-jumped Minaya (who ia also a very good basketball player), then wrestled the ball away from him before registering an exciting 21 yard return.  His awareness and strength was especially impressive because it was exemplified on Minaya, who was arguably the second best player on the field.  I am officially a LeSpada believer.  He's as every bit as good as they say.  
• Matt Clifford is not a product of Nick LeSpada's greatness.  He is just a damn good football player.  He is the Indians home run hitter at wide receiver.  He was matched up with Minaya, and did a fairly solid job keeping him in check.  But his most impressive showing was his kick return after Methuen's last score, which set up Billerica with a first and 10 at the Methuen 37 with a little over a minute to go.  If he is able to add some size, and once he becomes more comfortable in his body, he will be the next Indian to get serious BCS-school attention.
• Billerica will only go as far as their hogs will take them.  Methuen did a great job pressuring LeSpada and forcing him to make throws on the run or throw the ball away.  It's to be expected that teams will bring extra men to try and hurry him, but there were also times Methuen's front four was able to get solid penetration.  That penetration proved to give Billerica serious problems in the run game, forcing them to become more reliant on their quarterback.
• Man-Child Watch List - Nick LeSpada, Matt Clifford, Ryan Donohoe

 Methuen

• The Carrol to Minaya connection is as advertised.  But each is also a very good player on their own.  Carrol is such a competitor.  He took a brutal (and many times illegal) beating from a physical Indian team, and complained not once.  He kept his team focused, and made play, after play, after play.  Minaya was the second most explosive player on the field.  He caught the ball away from his body.  He ran solid routes.  At times, he was a nightmare for the supremely talented Matt Clifford.  I would advise a team to make an offer, and fast.
• Ryan Savastano was my favorite player to watch.  He was the reason the play action, as well as Carrol on the keep worked so well.  He hit the holes hard, and was very rarely tackled by one man.  He will be the reason this Methuen team does not disappear after the departure of their talented senior class.
• My second favorite player? Junior Mike Capomaccio.  Smallest guy in the field, but Billerica did NOT throw his way.  Kid hits too.  
• Game Ball: Methuen's offensive line.  When it mattered most, they allowed Savastano to work, and work he did.  Their ability to create space resulted in Methuen being able to drive down the field and wear out the Billerica defense.  
• Man-Child Watch List - Ryan Savastano, Cal Carrol, Raudy Minaya, Bobby Blanchard, Mike Capomaccio.