FOOTBALL: Justin Lopes leads the way for Bishop Stang

DARTMOUTH — The extra 10 pounds on Justin Lopes’ body produced more power for Bishop Stang’s senior quarterback, but it didn’t slow him down any.

He had the power to score touchdowns from 2,4 and 1 yards out and found the speed to outrun the Cardinal Spellman secondary for the game-winning 30-yard touchdown with 2:31 to play as the Spartans scored a 27-20 victory Friday night.

A fumble recovery at the Spellman 39-yard line with 3:38 to play gave Bishop Stang the ball and field position, but, facing a fourth-and-1, Lopes took charge.

“We noticed they were keying on our read-option so we went to a power type of offense,” Lopes said. “(On the fourth down) I had great blocking and I noticed there were not a lot of people on the left side so that’s where I went. I got great downfield blocking from my receivers and just followed it.”

That route took him to the left sideline where his speed proved too much for the pursuing Spellman defense.

Each time the Cardinals would score, Bishop Stang and Lopes would respond.

Jovan Marrero’s 35-yard run and two-point conversion put Spellman on the board, but Lopes answered from the 2 to make it 8-6 after one half.

Jayden Germana scored the first of his two touchdowns for Spellman from 27 yards out with 2:49 to play in the third quarter and Lopes answered from the four, 33.7 seconds before the quarter ended.

Germana’s 5-yard scoring run broke a 14-14 tie, but Lopes sneaked in from the 1 to tie it with 4:52 to play in the game.

“(Lopes) is a competitor,” Stang coach Dennis Golden said. “He’s a hard-driving kid who really comes to play.”