METHUEN — When Methuen quarterback Cal Carroll is on the run, it is not just defenders that tend to lose the star.

"He can be hard to block for," said offensive lineman Aaron Ferreira with a laugh. "He breaks a lot of tackles, but you never know where he's going. I just have to run and try to make a block downfield. But he always seems to gain positive yards."

Earlier this season, an announcer spent the first half of a game misidentifying Carroll — calling him Cal Carrollson. But it's a safe bet everyone around the Merrimack Valley Conference now knows the Ranger signalcaller's name.

Asked to step in and replace both 2008 Eagle-Tribune offensive Player of the Year running back Mike Bartlett and twin brother and two-time 1,000-yard passer Matt Bartlett, Carroll has been nothing short of dynamic for the Rangers this season.

In what many thought would be a rebuilding season, with just six returning starters, the star junior has paced the team in rushing and passing on the way to leading Methuen to first place in the MVC small with a stellar 6-2 record heading into Friday's matchup with rival Central Catholic.

But, at the open of the season, the Rangers were unsure of what they had in their untested 16-year-old, who had completed just four career varsity passes heading into the year.

"He is definitely fierce," said Methuen head coach Pat Graham. "We didn't really see that side of him until this year. He was so young, he hadn't really taken on the role as a leader. But on the first days of (hitting) in camp this year, we figured out what he was about. He was the kid with the most intensity out there. He is very tough and very competitive."

It is that competitive fire that allowed Carroll to play varsity baseball as a freshman, an experience he said helped him as he approached life as starting QB, along with his play on the varsity basketball team.

"It definitely helped a lot," said Carroll. "(Baseball) coach (Dave) Fabrizio has drilled it into our heads that you compete against anyone, no matter how big they are.

"I love the fire and really getting into the intensity of the game. I don't like to talk, but I like doing it with my emotions and attitude. I knew I had big shoes to fill this season,."

The shoes were those of the Bartlett twins. Last season, Mike Bartlett rushed for 1,291 yards and 21 touchdowns on his way to Eagle-Tribune offensive Player of the Year honors, while Matt Bartlett threw for 1,333 yards and 10 touchdowns. That all while leading the Rangers to a 7-4 record, their most wins since the 1998 season (8-3).

"Watching guys like Matt, I learned a lot," said Carroll. "They were great players. But I was pretty confident I could bring some leadership to the team. We worked a lot in the offseason, I knew it was my job and I wasn't going to let it go."

Carroll wasted no time showing his skills. In Week 1 of this season, Carroll connected with Raudy Minaya on a 10-yard touchdown pass, and James Staples for a 2-point conversion with 2:37 left in the game to give Methuen a 20-19 win over Concord-Carlisle.

"We lost a lot of kids and a lot of people said this would be a tough year," said offensive guard Sean Whittaker. "But Cal has been awesome. There's nothing more he could be doing. We always knew he was a tough kid, and he has stepped in and been a great player."

Carroll has turned in big plays not just with his arm, but also with his legs out of the single-wing offense that Mike Bartlett ran to perfection.

Carroll has carried 164 times for a team-high 764 yards and 14 touchdowns. He had also completed 59-of-118 passes for 577 yards and six more scores. His biggest performance came against MVC large rival Andover, in which he accounted for 238 of 245 of Methuen's yards, rushing for 184 yards and both touchdowns, and passing for 54 more.

"I really feel like that win really put us on the map," said Carroll. "I remember when I was playing Pop Warner going to games and watching the (Methuen) team lose by a lot of points every week and being upset. But we feel like we are contenders and on the map now. We are out to make the playoffs."

The Rangers host MVC large leader Central this week (worth one point in the standings) and MVC small foe Lawrence (worth two points) next week. With six points already in the standings, good for first place, Methuen looks in position to face Dracut (5 points) for the league title on Thanksgiving Day.

"Cal's toughness is what separates him," said Graham. "With the load that he has carried on the field, rushing and passing, he hasn't limped once or left the field and he continues to work in practice. That is a real tribute to him."

Big battles in MVC, CAL, CAC

Central Catholic and Methuen's matchup is one of many key games this weekend. On Friday, Cape Ann League large contenders North Andover and Wilmington (both 6-2) face off while Andover looks to rebound from two straight losses against MVC large power Billerica.

Salem also looks to finish off a perfect regular season, hosting Manchester Central.

On Saturday, Whittier can all but clinch the Commonwealth Conference large against Manchester Essex. Also, Pentucket looks for an upset when it hosts CAL large opponent Masconomet.

FAB 5

1. Salem%9-0

2. Central Catholic%7-1

3. Methuen%6-2

4. Whittier%8-0

5. North Andover%6-2

Honorable mention: Pelham (7-2), Brooks (5-1), Greater Lawrence (6-2)

ÔÇæÔÇæÔÇæ

Join the discussion. To comment on stories and see what others are saying, log on to eagletribune.com.