By Tyler Amaral
NEFJ Correspondent
FAIRHAVEN – Justin Marques added another thrilling chapter to his storybook high school career Friday night.
The senior scored four touchdowns – breaking the state career record – in third-seeded Fairhaven’s 36-34 overtime win over No. 6 Lynnfield in a Division 6 quarterfinal matchup.
Facing a fourth-and-goal from the two-yard line on the first series of overtime, Fairhaven head coach Derek Almeida gave the ball to Marques. The bruising running back bullied his way into the endzone to give Fairhaven a 34-28 lead.
Overtime rules state that teams must attempt a two-point conversion after every touchdown scored in overtime. Quarterback Cam Burke added the two-point rush to push the lead to 36-28.
Lynnfield had a chance to match Fairhaven’s score. The Pioneers checked the first box; scoring a touchdown to cut the deficit to two points. After a timeout, Lynnfield came out looking to add the game-tying conversion. The ball was batted in the air and intercepted by Marques, sealing the victory and sending the Blue Devils back to the state semifinals for the second straight season.
“This feels great, but we’re not done yet” said Marques. “We’ve gotta bring [the championship] home now.”
The overtime score was the fourth of the night for Marques. Marques’ third score of the night, was the record-breaker.
With the game tied at 14 in the third quarter, Marques found a narrow seam and exploded through it for an eight-yard score to give the hosts the lead.
The touchdown was the 102nd of Marques’ career, breaking the state career record previously held by Walpole’s Ryan Izzo.
“This just means everything to me” said Marques. “To be able to play Pop Warner here all the way through high school and to be able to break a record like that, it just means so much to me. I’d like to thank everyone especially my family for always pushing me to be great.”
Fairhaven took the lead in regulation four separate times. And each time Lynnfield answered with a touchdown of its own.
Marques (40 carries, 193 yards) broke the ice early on a two-yard plunge to put Fairhaven ahead 7-0 in the first frame.
Lynnfield responded on a 10-yard run by dynamic senior quarterback Tyler Adamo. Marques tied the state record with his second two-yard score early in the second quarter. Fairhaven entered halftime leading 14-7.
“Justin’s been a leader for us” said Almeida. “He sets the tone in games and at practice. He showed up all summer in the weight room. He’s a captain. I love the kid. He does everything we ask.”
Lynnfield scored quickly to start the second half. After starting the drive in Fairhaven territory, Jared Bernabei took off for a 46-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 14.
After the record-breaking touchdown, Lynnfield again responded to tie the game at 21. Adamo found Iovinelli for their first of two scoring connections.
In the fourth quarter, Burke (20 carries, 174 yards) scored on a six-yard rush to put Fairhaven back ahead 28-21. Adamo answered with a 15-yard strike to Jesse Dorman to tie the game at 28 with 5:35 left in the game.
A 15-yard Fairhaven penalty pushed Fairhaven behind the sticks and the Blue Devils wound up turning it over on downs at their own 36. Lynnfield decided to play for a field goal and senior star kicker Max LoGrasso’s kick sailed wide left with under 30 seconds left in the game.
LoGrasso hit a 50-yard field goal in the first half, but it was negated by a false start penalty.
“I thought we were done” said Marques. “[LoGrasso] has a boot and I thought we were done.”
The Blue Devils ran for a staggering 442 yards as a team in the game.
“It was a struggle but we stuck together as a team” said Burke. “We’re not trying to do anything fancy. We just run our offense play-by-play and fight with our brothers on the side of us.”
Fairhaven (9-1) will play the winner of Saturday night’s game between Swampscott and Stoneham. The game will be played at a neutral site next weekend. Lynnfield (8-2) turns its attention to Thanksgiving morning.
