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Late fumble recovery TD disallowed, Lawrence falls

Friday, November, 06 By David Willis
Staff writer

LAWRENCE — For a few moments, it seemed as if the play of the year could be unfolding.

Lawrence defensive back Eddie Cabrera came out of a scrum with a fumble and sprinted in the opposite direction, not stopping until he had covered 73 yards and waltzed into the end zone with just over three minutes left in the game.

The Lancers sideline erupted into cheers, as they were suddenly in the lead at 10-7, while the Lincoln-Sudbury bench stood in disbelief. 

However, the referees were conferencing back at the Lawrence 25-yard line.

After nearly five minutes of discussion, the officials walked out and pointed in the direction away from the scoreboard — saying the ball had been whistled dead and handing possession back to Lincoln-Sudbury.

"That just kind of defines our season," said Lawrence coach Mike Yameen. "We just cannot seem to catch a break."

After the Cabrera touchdown was disallowed, the Warriors ate away the clock, then after giving the ball back to Lawrence picked off a pass to seal a 14-3 victory.

"The ref told me it was an inadvertent whistle that ended the (touchdown) play," said Yameen. "And they said the ball went back to them. I just don't know. It seems like we should have at least gotten the ball. Even when kids step in, it just doesn't work out for us. It's a tough loss. We just can't buy a break."

Early on it didn't seem like Lawrence would need a dramatic play. The Lancers took the opening kickoff and marched to the Warriors' 7-yard line in 10 plays. But they would be turned away without points when Lincoln-Sudbury picked off a pass.

That would mark the first of five possessions that Lawrence would drive inside the Warrior 30-yard line. But the Lancers would manage just the three points, on a Cabrera 32-yard field goal.

Their best chance at a touchdown came right before halftime, but an Ismael Jenkins pass just went off the fingertips of his receiver at the goal line. 

 "We moved the ball but we just couldn't get it in the end zone," said Yameen. "Our defense played well. We had guys stand out. We moved inside the red zone, but we came out with three points. Too many turnovers and too many mistakes. It was a game-changer."

Lawrence also had another fumble recovery overturned in the first half when it was again ruled the play was whistled dead. 

"I thought at least, if it was an inadvertent whistle, we would get the ball back," said Yameen. "But they got the ball, and that just kind of sums up our season."

The Lancers now have one more consolation game, against an undetermined opponent, before meeting Central Catholic on Thanksgiving Day.

"We aren't going to give up," said Yameen. "But I am hoping for a few bounces to go our way."