Peabody Trounces Somerville 36-7 in Season Opener
Peabody Tanners took the Somerville Highlanders by storm in their season opener.
Angel Paulino started off his busy night with a 31-yard carry. Later that drive, Peabody’s receiver D. Peluso dropped the ball and Somerville picked off the throw. However, the team held the Highlanders to no score and began their attack. They got on the board with a rushing touchdown, followed by a two point conversion, ending the first quarter with Peabody up 8-0.
Angel Paulino started off with a 23-yard carry, breaking three tackles along his route. Then QB Matt Jandrisevits threw back-to-back passes to D. Olowu for eighteen yards, and then to another receiver for an additional nine. The Tanner are in the red zone, first and goal!
Immediately afterwards, Somerville was caught off-guard with a 4-yard rushing touchdown by Angle Paulino. Peabody’s lead is now up to 16-0.
The Tanners kicked off, and the Highlander special team blocked tremendously, setting up their returner for a more-than-70-yard return. Peabody kept their heads held high and forced a fumble on the drive. Brandon Caniff recovered the ball, which was knocked out by Glass. Peabody continued the moment and Paulino rushed in for another touchdown, this time from 18 yards. Peabody ends the half up 22-0.
They held the Highlanders to minimal gains, while their offense was firing on all cylinders. The second half began with an onside kick recovered by Somerville. Overall, the action died down in the second half, but that did not stop the Tanners from putting fourteen more points on the board. Guridys caught a screen pass and finished off the 39-yard run in the endzone celebrating with his team. Late in the fourth, a 2-yard carry topped off their 36-0 run.
Although Peabody’s defense was stellar all night, one flaw was capitalized upon by Somerville QB Louis Jacques Montina. Overall the Highlanders defense held Montina to 116 yards throwing, while in the offensive end Paulino, Jandrisevits, and Guridys all scored and put up over 100 yards each.
Tanners start season off with this emphatic win 36-7, and will face off against Danvers on the 14th in their first away game.
Photography by Dado Nasso '21
