Shane Eason gives Methuen fans plenty to cheer about by beating Franklin

METHUEN – In Shane Eason’s final postseason game at Nicholson Stadium, he gave the home crowd plenty of reasons to cheer.

Eason rushed for 315 yards and five touchdowns to lead No. 8 Methuen to a 35-21 win over No. 9 Franklin in the MIAA Division 1 Round of 16 on Friday night at Nicholson Stadium in Methuen.

The Rangers (8-1) now advance to take on top seed St. John’s Prep in the Div. 1 state quarterfinals on Friday in Danvers. Eason entered the Rangers’ opening round contest with 1,431 rushing yards in 2024 and continued his climb to the  2,000 mark with his sensational performance.

Franklin had its seven-game winning streak dating back to opening night snapped with the loss.

“Our offensive line is playing terrific and Shane’s an incredible player so it’s a great combination right there,” said Methuen coach Tommy Ryan said. “Shane’s workload tonight was a season high but that’s what you need this time of year.”

Methuen led 21-14 after three quarters, but broke away in the fourth.

Eason took a swing pass 51 yards down to the Franklin 15-yard line. Then, two plays later, Eason sprinted home from 11 yards out to push the hosts lead to 28-14.

After Adrian Blake came through with a key pass break up to turn Franklin over on downs, Eason provided the exclamation point. Eason took the handoff and trucked over a Panther linebacker for a five-yard touchdown run and a 35-14 lead

“We made some great plays in the secondary in the second half,” Ryan said. “Adrian (Blake) and Alex (Santiago) both really stepped up.”

Franklin got back within 35-21 on a Justin Bianchetto quarterback sneak and recovered the ensuing onside kick. Alex Santiago, however, came through with an interception to seal the win for Methuen.

Franklin grabbed a 7-0 lead after one quarter of play on a Will Tirrell four-yard touchdown run. Eason, however, awoke in the second frame. The senior back broke free for 38 yards to set up his own one yard touchdown run to even the game, 7-7. One drive later Eason helped the Rangers jump in front as he rushed 32 yards before trucking in from nine yards to put Methuen up 14-7.

Then, to cap off the half, Eason carried the ball four times and rushed for a total of 50 yards including for an eight yard touchdown to give Methuen a 21-14 lead at the break