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Freiermuth, Lambert go out on top

Friday, November, 17 By David Willis
Staff writer

NEW HAMPTON, N.H. — With the game still in doubt as the clock ran down, Pat Freiermuth made certain that he would end his high school football career on top.

“The coaches send me on an ‘X’ (blitz) and the quarterback made a late read,” said the Brooks senior from Merrimac. “I just went in and stripped it. I knew it was over then.”

Freiermuth flew in from his linebacker spot, exploded through the offensive line and rocked New Hampton quarterback Jake Dulac. The ball came loose, and North Andover’s Brian Flanagan was there to recover the fumble with 1:58 left in the game.

From there, Brooks ran down the clock to lock up the Ken O’Keefe Bowl title with a 24-14 victory over host New Hampton in frigid 18-degree weather.

“It’s perfect,” said Brooks QB Seamus Lambert of North Andover. “We worked all summer for this and all season for this. I couldn’t be more happy to get this win. I am so proud to be here with Brooks and earn a Bowl game victory.”
The big late sack was the capper on a tremendous effort by top Penn State football recruit Freiermuth.
The reigning Eagle-Tribune defensive Player of the Year was all over the field at linebacker, making 14 tackles. He recovered a fumble on the third play of the game, set the tone for the second half with a monster hit on Dulac and ended up with two sacks and two forced fumbles.
“Fry is just a special kid,” said Brooks coach Pat Foley. “He has this uncanny ability make plays and cause fumbles. And he did it a few times tonight. And we tried to get the ball in his hands any way we could on offense.”
 On the offensive end, tight end Freiermuth caught five passes for a game-high 84 yards, including a 44-yard touchdown.
“This was a picture-perfect ending,” said Freiermuth. “I couldn’t imagine anything better. We were mentally prepared and went out and got the Bowl game win.”
Freiermuth’s touchdown came on a perfectly-throwing bomb from Lambert, who also deliver a big day in his high school football finale.
A Trinity College football recruit, Lambert finished 12 of 16 throwing for 147 yards and two touchdowns. The second TD was an absolute dart of a throw through two defenders into the hands of Terrell Brown. Lambert also ran for a game-high 91 yards.
“Seamus played a great game,” said Foley. “He did a great job running the ball, which we knew he could do with his athleticism. And he did a great job in the passing game. He had a great year and did a great job tonight.”
Led by Freiermuth, defensive lineman Flanagan (6 tackles, fumble caused, fumble recovery) and linebacker Nick Fulgione (8 tackles, fumble recovery), the Brooks defense never allowed New Hampton’s offense and inch.
Brooks surrendered just 95 yards of offense for the game, 51 of those on one play up the middle that set up the Huskies’ lone offensive touchdown.
“I wasn’t surprised,” said Freiermuth. “We played like this the whole year on defense. Coach put us in the right positions and we performed.”
After one final knee, Brooks celebrated the season-ending win.
“This is a very special team and I’m proud to be a part of it,” said Lambert. “This win definitely made the move (from North Andover High) and all the hard work worth it. It’s a great feeling. I am so happy.”