LOWELL – Lowell High went for the immediate kill shot, looking to sap the life out of Haverhill quickly with a double-reverse, flea-flicker for a 65-yard TD on the game’s opening play.
The 2016 Hillies are far too talented and way too resilient to let a tiny 7-0 deficit alter their course.
Set on making history, Haverhill High did just that, pounding the host Red Raiders, 64-36, to finish the school’s best football season in the modern era at 9-2.
The last 9-win season by the Hillies? You’d have to go all the way back to the 9-0 championship team in 1936.
The Merrimack Valley Conference champs swept through the large division at 5-0, the dominant force in the league from Day 1 in September to yesterday’s finale.
“It’s been a great year, and I’m proud of the kids,” said coach Tim O’Connor, whose club lost only the season opener to St. John’s Prep and a Division 1 North playoff game to Everett. “We didn’t reach the ultimate goal, but Haverhill 9-2 compared to (32 straight losses from 2008-10)? I will take it.”
O’Connor’s crew featured 22 senior starters, and it felt like every one of them had an impact, starting with the QB and his receivers.
Broghean McGovern made it look easy through the air, hitting 11 of 15 passes for 295 yards and six scores.
“I have the best receiving corps in the state, and I mean that,” said the three-year starter.
Jukka Morales caught TDs of 51, 37 and 49 yards to lead the way. Aaron Brooks struck with touchdowns of 8 and 57 yards, while Teshaun Watson had the other, a four-yarder on 4th-and-goal on the Hillies’ opening possession.
But the heroes were everywhere.
McGovern (14 carries, 181 yards, 2 TDs) and J.C. Laguerre (19-89, 2 TDs) worked the read-option to perfection.
Ryan Panici, Josh Gendron and Mason Wilkins anchored a monster effort up front on the offensive line. Defensively, Elias Gaetano, Jason Tufts and Jacob Dion laid the lumber and made big plays. No play was bigger than defensive tackle Kirk Murray’s end-zone interception that thwarted Lowell on the final possession of the first half.
Haverhill made it two straight Turkey Day wins over Lowell and closed out this year with three straight victories following the playoff disappointment against Everett.
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Football, 11/24/16 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars
LOWELL — This will be a game that North Andover will want to forget as quickly as possible.
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Football, 11/13/16 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars
LOWELL — This will be a game that North Andover will want to forget as quickly as possible.
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Football, 11/13/16 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars
LOWELL — Central Catholic outscored Lowell 28-0 to finish the game en route to a 49-13 win.
It was 21-0 in the fourth with Central scoring on a 73-yard Brett Edwards pass to Johandy Gonzalez, a Ty Donatio run then a Matt Horgan run.
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Football, 10/14/16 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars
LAWRENCE — Lawrence High coach Mike Yameen looked up at the score, 34-7, and admitted the better team, Lowell High, won.
In fact, when it was over, statistically, it was as bad-looking from the Lancers sidelines as the score looked, 291 rushing yards versus 121 yards; zero turnovers versus three turnovers; and Lowell, a wide open passing team only attempted three passes in the second half.
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Football, 09/09/16 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars
