By Liam O’Brien
Managing Editor of Sports
Following a 41-7 shellacking of Boston Latin last Friday night, the 3-0 Lions will take their talents into the Boston area yet again this week, challenging 1-2 Cambridge Rindge & Latin at Russell Field at 7:00 Friday night.
Led by a dynamic showing from junior quarterback Austin Burton, Newton South commanded the pace of their contest against the Wolfpack throughout. The Lions took a 35-0 lead in the first half while carving up an overmatched Boston Latin defense in their first DCL competition of the season.
Burton recorded five passing touchdowns on the night, three of which went to junior tight end Sasha Hoban. Hoban and senior captain wide receivers Anthony DeNitto and Frankie Barros (one touchdown apiece) each recorded five receptions in the first two quarters of the contest alone, breaking out for a collectively dominant performance.
The offensive output put on display against the Wolfpack was crucial for the confidence of Burton and the rest of the Lions offense. The offense had struggled to move the ball effectively over their first two games of the season, grinding out narrow victories over Lexington and Brookline.
While the team had relied on senior running back Jamyre Soberanis to pace the offense over the initial two contests of the season (Soberanis rushed for 201 yards in the team’s win over the Warriors in Week 2), the passing game emerged from an apparent slump in the win against Boston Latin. The Lions prepare to face a Cambridge team that is certainly susceptible to poor defensive outings.
Before capturing their first victory of the season last Friday night against Waltham, 16-10, the Falcons struggled to maintain a defensive presence throughout their first two matchups of the season, falling 34-8 in their season opener against Andover before being pummeled by Marblehead, 48-0, in Week 2.
Marblehead annihilated the Cambridge defense, recording two touchdown passes and three rushing touchdowns in the first half alone while building a 39-0 lead entering halftime. The Falcons vulnerability on D bodes well for a Lions offense which appears to be firing on all cylinders.
Despite the defensive ineffectiveness that they showcased in their two losses this season, Cambridge does boast a few offensive weapons.
The Lions defensive attack supported Burton’s passing performance with a suffocating act against the Wolfpack last week, but the Falcons feature a few dangerous skill position weapons.
At running back, look out for Andrew Anilus, whose 22-yard rushing touchdown allowed Cambridge to take an 8-7 lead in the third quarter of its Week 3 win over Waltham. The Falcons will also attempt to get the ball into the hands of leading wide receiver Daniel Rymer, whose size (around 6’5”) could cause issues for the secondary of the Lions. Look for South’s tallest defensive back, Barros, to defend Rymer all night.
