RallyNorth.net

Huge comeback falls short, Lowell beats Lawrence in OT

LAWRENCE — After five straight Lowell losses, two of which he missed with an injury, standout senior Shy Cullen was not about to be denied.

The Syracuse-bound back staked the Red Raiders to a 14-7 halftime lead and then, after a gallant Lawrence comeback tied the game in regulation, got the key conversion run that provided a 29-27 overtime victory.

The 6-foot, 215-pound Cullen scored twice and gained 145 yards in the first half alone and then, after being pretty much stuffed by a resurgent Lancers’ defense in the second half, powered his way through the line for the final points.

“I told the offensive linemen that we had to have it,” said Cullen. “This takes some of the sting out of a tough season. It’s been disappointing so this feels good.”

Cullen also plays linebacker and is slated to play defense at Syracuse, which isn’t surprising to Lawrence head coach Mike Yameen, whose 4-6 club has now lost three straight.

“He is a PLAYER and there’s a reason he’s going to Syracuse,” said Yameen. “Defensively, he was making plays all over the field, just flying to the ball.”

In the first half, it was his running that made the difference, however. Lowell took the opening kickoff and marched 71 yards for the TD with Cullen rushing eight times for 64 yards and a TD.

Later, after Lawrence tied the game on an 11-yard pass from Nelson Valerio to Justin Rivera to complete an impressive 90-yard drive, Cullen gained 32 of 37 yards on a five-play drive that gave Lowell the halftime lead.

Lowell made it 21-7 in the third quarter on a 60-yard burst through the middle by Nicolau Coury before Valerio led the Lancers back.

Showing terrific scrambling ability, mixed in with some strong runs by Jacob Toledo (13-88), Valerio brought Lawrence to 21-13 with 4:32 remaining, completing a 58-yard drive with an 8-yard quarterback draw.

And, with one last chance tie tie the game, Valerio led Lawrence downfield 54 yards in the closing two minutes, completing two passes and rushing three times for 16 yards, including the final yard with 57 seconds remaining.

A beautifully designed conversion pass to Eddie Cabrera for two points tied the game.

Taking the ball first in overtime, Lawrence scored on its first play on a 10-yard scamper by Toledo, but a conversion pass attempt fell short of the mark, making it 27-21.

Aided by two Lawrence offside penalties, Lowell tied the game on a two-yard run by Keith Lynch, setting up the decisive conversion run by Cullen.

“We had a little mental breakdown (in the overtime), but the kids played their hearts out,” said Yameen. “It was just a hard fought game that didn’t go our way. That’s the second week in a row for us.”

The Lancers will now get ready for their final game, at home Nov. 26 against Salem, starting at 7 p.m. It will be their last Thanksgiving matchup against the Blue Devils before starting a series against Central Catholic.