By Owen Hart
NEFJ Correspondent

METHUEN MA – A playoff win is one thing, a 40-point playoff win is a whole different story.

11th-seeded Natick opened the game strong with a big kick off return across midfield, however, it was the only highlight of the game for The Redhawks in a D1 Sweet 16 matchup against sixth-seeded Methuen on Friday night.

The Rangers held Natick to only 10 first downs, three of which came in the final drive of the game once running time had been implemented with Methuen up by 47. The end result was a 47-7 blowout for the Rangers, earning a berth in the Elite 8 next weekend against third-seeded Needham.

“We have a lot of weapons which lets us do a lot of different types of things,” said Methuen head coach Tom Ryan. “We were consistent in all phases of the game and we got a nice win.”

After stopping Natick on fourth down to open the game, Methuen took over on its own 43. It didn’t take long to get on the board, just a few plays later Joshua Kwakye hit the outside and punched in a 15-yard touchdown run for the Rangers to go up 6-0. On its next possession, Methuen scored again on just the second play of the drive. On a flea flicker, Methuen quarterback Drew Eason connected with receiver Kian Greeley for a 50-yard touchdown pass.

Methuen took over on a short field thanks to an interception and scored three plays later with Eason connecting with Adrian Blake for a 35-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead 19-0. After getting the ball back again, Shane Eason broke off a run to bring Methuen inside the red zone which led to another Kwayke touchdown run.

The Rangers picked up right where they left off in the first half to start the second, with Kwakye taking the kickoff 95-yards for another Methuen touchdown and his third of the game.

“He’s an electric player, not much in terms of size but that kid can run, he’s as tough a player as we have in our program and i’m glad he’s on our team,” Ryan said of his running back. Methuen dominated on both sides of the ball, scoring a touchdown on every offensive possession.

“I think they honestly were (one of the toughest defenses they’ve played), but the offensive execution was the highest it’s ever been in any game I’ve played in” said Drew Eason.

Natick’s only touchdown came on the final drive of the game in the form of a one-yard keeper from backup QB Owen Denver.

“Our kids really responded to the game plan, they really executed” coach Ryan added about his defense.“We played as hard as we possibly could today, they got our A-game for sure.”

Now, it’s on to Needham.

“Needham’s a good team, they run the ball hard, defensively they’re good too…execution has to be on another high level like this” Eason said about his next opponent

“We’ll trade some film, build another game plan and see if it works,” Ryan added.