RallyNorth.net

LaSpada too much for Lancers

Friday, October, 16 By Hector Longo
Staff writer

BILLERICA – As massive a challenge as Nick LaSpada and No. 9 Billerica present, it’s the simple everyday Merrimack Valley Conference grind that has battered Lawrence High recently.

The Lancers, already without leading receiver Michael Calzetta (collarbone), lost game-breaker Francis Nova to what might be a concussion early in the third. Without Nova, any chance the Lancers, trailing 28-12, had of clawing back into it were swept into the Calabrese Stadium mud as the host Indians rolled comfortably 35-20.

“He took a big hit in the kicking game, and now he’s on the way to the hospital,” said Lancer coach Mike Yameen, whose club fell to 2-4 in its return season to the Merrimack Valley. “The bottom line is that we’re just not playing good football. We’re making too many mistakes mentally and it’s killing us.”

LaSpada, who missed last week’s shocking Indians loss to Billerica with a hip flexor, hit 10 of 15 passes for 183 yards and three TDs before Billerica went to the second offense with two minutes left in the second quarter.
A courageous effort, spearheaded by Nova and determined quarterback Nick Elwell, kept the shorthanded Lancers hanging around much of the night.

All three Lawrence TDs came against the Billerica first-teamers.

Down 14-0 in the first quarter, Nova took matters into his own hands, first with a 48-yard kick return dash down the right sideline and then on 36-yard TD connection down the seam from Elwell.
Nova’s second score of the night, a 31-yard dash, reverse-direction run, made it 28-12 at the break.

“Everyone in this league goes through it, but every week is a tough week,” said Yameen. “That’s what this league is about.”

Elwell had Indians in his face all night long, but never blinked in a 12 for 23, 208-yard passing performance. The gritty senior earned his own personal piece of satisfaction, willing his way to paydirt on a 14-yard keeper.

Junior Christian Reyes was Elwell’s top target with four catches for 101 yards. Devin Montanez (3-51) and D.J. Ramos (2-17) also did some damage.

With Nova’s injury piled on his worry list, Yameen hopes to get Calzetta back for Friday night’s intra-city collision with Central Catholic.