RallyNorth.net

LYNN — Greater Lawrence coach Tony Sarkis knows he asked a tremendous amount from his running backs in his run-heavy power-I offense. After all, it is not unusual for a player to carry 30 or more times in a game.

Cristian Rivera scored two TDs but the Reggies fell to Blue Hills and record-setting Vincent Burton (33 for 178, 2 TDs).

Greater Lawrence pounded an overmatched Mystic Valley squad, 44-6 at Malden Catholic yesterday. Cristian Rivera ambled for 137 yards and three touchdowns on only eight carries to lead the 7-2 Reggies.

WEST ANDOVER — The clash of Commonwealth Conference powers could not have started any better for Greater Lawrence.

The Reggies held Shawsheen to a 3-and-out on its first possession, then three plays later running back Cristian Rivera threw a 50-yard halfback pass for a touchdown that gave Greater Lawrence a quick lead.

Cristian Rivera first opened up the defense, capping a dominating first Greater Lawrence drive with a rushing touchdown, then Marcos Ortiz and Jake Barchard finished off the Red Devils in a 41-6 win.

Division 4 Greater Lawrence battled Division 1A Cambridge hard through three quarters, but the passing prowess of David Maaghul (358 yards and five touchdowns) was too much in a 38-27 setback. Quarterback Marcos Ortiz kept the Reggies close, rushing for a pair of touchdowns and throwing to wide receiver Jake Barchard for Greater Lawrence's final two scores.

Greater Lawrence rode five interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown and another returned on a Tiger two-point conversion attempt, helped the Reggies open the season on a high not.