RallyNorth.net

Lowell beats Lawrence handily, 34-7

Friday, September, 09 By By Bill Burt
Staff writer

LAWRENCE — Lawrence High coach Mike Yameen looked up at the score, 34-7, and admitted the better team, Lowell High, won.

In fact, when it was over, statistically, it was as bad-looking from the Lancers sidelines as the score looked, 291 rushing yards versus 121 yards; zero turnovers versus three turnovers; and Lowell, a wide open passing team only attempted three passes in the second half.

But Lawrence had a few chances to get within reach in the first half, down 20-0, only to have the clock run out on it at the end of the first half on the Lowell 4-yard line. That was big because Lawrence marched immediately down the field to start the second half, on a 1-yard keeper by junior quarterback Ronny Pena.

"We shot ourselves in the foot a few times," said Yameen. "Honestly, we didn't expect this to be easy. Not only is Lowell good, with some veteran skill players at quarterback (Daniel Smith) and running back (Anthony Doung and Ajay Proeung), but we're young, very young. I guess it's called growing pains."

Through the first half, the yardage totals were comparable, 212 for Lowell vs. 162 for Lawrence. But Lawrence never was able to convert the big play.

Lowell, on the other hand, converted to two long third down attempts en route to its first score and then picked up a fumble and Proeung ran it back 52 yards for a two-TD lead.

An interception midway through the second quarter eventually led to a third Lowell TD, this one a 4-yard run by Proeung.

Including its TD, Lawrence only had three drives in the second half.

"They wore us down with the run," said Yameen, who also lost his best receiver, senior Darryl Munoz, to cramps in the third quarter. "We had a chance to make this a game in the first half, but we didn't.

"(Junior QB) Ronny (Pena) has to learn to get rid of the ball a little more, but you can see he's got the talent. This was his first game on varsity," said Yameen. "It was the first game for a lot of guys on varsity. We will learn."

Lawrence plays host to Dracut on Friday night. This week practice will be focused on mistake-free football.

"You can't win a game when you are calling timeouts to get the right personnel in or fumble the ball a few times, or missed assignments," said Yameen. "I'm not upset. I like this team. They work hard. We just have to play smarter."