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Methuen Rangers Football '08

Fri, Oct 17, 2008 07:00 PM @ Lowell
Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
Methuen 6 0 0 6 12
Lowell 0 7 0 7 14

Methuen drops heartbreaker to Lowell

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Saturday, October, 18 By Chuck Frye
Staff writer

LOWELL — The defense set the stage but the offense couldn't provide the encore. 

When struggling Methuen finally came together behind the brothers Bartlett, quarterback Matt and running back Mike, an impressive 57-yard drive ensued which put the Rangers two points away from a deadlock with Lowell. But a conversion pass failed with 1:44 left in the game, allowing the Red Raiders to prevail in a bruising 14-12 battle.

With Mike Bartlett (29 carries, 152 yards) assuming his usual role as workhorse and Matt mixing in a pair of well-tailored short passes to Pat Phillion, the Rangers (now 3-4) used 10 plays to get to the Red Raider 2-yard line. Lining up in a single wing formation with Mike Bartlett taking the direct snap, the senior muscled his way in from there to draw Methuen within two.

The Rangers set up with the same formation for the 2-point conversion but Mike Bartlett drifted to his right, acting like a runner but looking for a pass receiver. Just before he got popped near the sidelines, Mike threw the ball but defender Julian Scott stepped in front of the receiver and tipped the toss away to preserve the lead.

Scott then recovered Methuen’s onside kick attempt, and after a couple of first downs from running back Ambruce Carter (27 attempts, 200 yards), the game was over.

"We work on 2-point conversions all the time," Methuen head coach Pat Graham said. "The tight end (Matt Richardson) got open in the back of the end zone. The read was there, we just didn’t execute it. I don’t know if (Mike) didn’t see him or what."

The final drive mirrored Methuen’s first possession, a 10-play, 66-yard beauty capped by Mike Bartlett’s 2-yard TD tote. The conversion kick sailed wide right, leaving the Rangers up 6-0 5½ minutes into the game.

But in between, Methuen was forced to punt four times, lost the ball on downs once and on a Brian Smith interception at the Lowell 2.

"I told the kids I don’t know why we didn’t move the ball better," Graham said.

A strong and speedy Ranger "D" took Lowell (4-2) out of its game as well. The highlight of the night came one play after Smith’s pick when Carter found a clear path to the left sideline and took off. From five yards behind, defensive back Oscar Rosario overtook Carter, saving a tide-turning touchdown by bringing him down at the Ranger 12. Linebacker Justin Marsan followed by dropping Carter for a 4-yard loss and the possession ended empty with a missed 30-yard field goal.

Melvin Mah did end up being the difference in the contest as the Lowell senior drilled both of his point-after kicks. The first came after a well-run second quarter reverse by Smith turned into a 39-yard touchdown, and the second happened with 5:58 left in the contest on fullback Paul Feeley’s 1-yard dive.

"Lowell hit us with that big reverse, a play we’ve been practicing all week and we didn’t stop it," Graham said. "This game doesn’t come down to the 2-point conversion. There were a lot of plays before that."

Game Statistics:

First Quarter

L — Brian Smith 39 run (Melvin Mah kick), 8:54

Second Quarter

M — Mike Bartlett 2 run (kick failed), 5:40

Fourth Quarter

L — Paul Feeley 1 run (Mah kick), 5:58 

M — Mi. Bartlett 2 run (pass failed), 1:44

 


INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

RUSHING: Methuen (34-135) — Mike Bartlett 29-152, Matt Bartlett 5-(-17); Lowell (39-270) — Ambruce Carter 27-200, Brian Smith 1-39, Paul Feeley 6-19, Kyle Edwards 4-8, Joe Healy 1-4

PASSING: Methuen — Ma. Bartlett 8-17-1, 82; Lowell — Edwards 1-9-1, 42

RECEIVING: Methuen — Pat Phillion 5-67, Matt Richardson 1-10, Joenrry Acosta 1-10, Mi. Bartlett 1-(-3); Lowell — Healy 1-42

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