RallyNorth.net

Thu, Nov 09, 2017 06:00 PM @ Malden Catholic

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Lawrence	0	0	0	0	0
Malden Catholic	0	0	6	12	18

Lawrence stifled by Malden Catholic

Thursday, November, 09 By Kyle Gaudette

MALDEN - The last two weeks for Lawrence football have been centered around streaks - breaking them while starting new ones.

But after winning in back-to-back weeks to snap a 23-game losing streak, the Lancers couldn't string together their third straight victory Thursday night.

Lawrence hung with a very game Malden Catholic team out of the powerful Catholic Conference for three quarters, but eventually surrendered to an 18-0 defeat.

Even though the defense kept Malden Catholic, also nicknamed the Lancers, off the scoreboard in the first half, the offense could never get going. Lawrence (2-8) mustered just 69 total yards and only three first downs all game.

"We've been struggling," said Lawrence coach Mike Yameen. "(Malden Catholic) played well. They put a lot of pressure on us. I think we only had one or two first downs in the first half. We just couldn't convert. Whenever we did make a big play we would go backwards after it. It was tough. You put a lot of pressure on yourself doing that."

A scoreless game at the half, everything changed when Malden Catholic (3-7) started giving the ball to junior back Nick Cornay.

A generously-listed 5-foot-4, 155-pounder, Cornay didn't see any work in the first half, but took his first carry of the game in the third quarter 40 yards for a score. He looked to be swarmed by at least five Lawrence defenders, but somehow slipped through.

With his team trying to preserve its lead in the fourth, the slick Cornay slipped under a couple more arm tackles to break off a 37-yard TD run to make it a 12-0 game with six minutes left. He finished with a game-high 106 yards on just seven carries, all in the second half.

After Cornay's second touchdown, Lawrence was forced to go for a 4th-and-10 from deep in their territory to keep any hope alive. But the Lancers didn't convert, giving Malden Catholic a short field for its last touchdown three plays later.

Other than the two big plays, Lawrence shined defensively - especially in the first half.

"In the first half, I don't think the ball got inside our 35-yard-line," said Yameen. "We kept them out. The defense played very good, but there's only so many times you can do that against a good team."

Junior linebacker Brandon Santell headed the defensive effort. The 6-foot-1, 230-pounder continued to be a bright spot for the Lancers with his disruptive tackles in the backfield and physical hits. Euribel Herrera came away with an interception, and both Anthony Martinez and Jeffrey Hernandez played well on the line.

Lawrence has one more chance to end its season on a high note, but it will be against one of the state's best, Central Catholic, on Thanksgiving morning.

 

Malden Catholic 18, Lawrence 0

Lawrence (2-8):     0 0 0  0 -  0

Malden Catholic (3-7):     0 0 6 12 - 18

Third Quarter

Nick Cornay 40 run (pass failed), 7:16

Fourth Quarter

Cornay 37 run (pass failed), 6:56

Howie Burns 1 run (pass failed), 4:07

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

RUSHING:

LAWRENCE (15-7): Brandon Santell 5-7, Gianni Vargas 4-4, Anthony Garcia 3-3, Miguel Camacho 1-2, Dylan Montanez 1-1, Jacob Tomayo 1-(-10)

MALDEN CATHOLIC (44-289): Nick Cornay 7-106, Howie Burns 13-97, Joe Rivers 20-69, Geoff Ingrando 1-11, Matt Jandresevits 2-7, Brian Ciulla 1-(-1)

PASSING: LAWRENCE - Anthony Garcia 3-9-0, 34, Jacob Tomayo 3-9-0, 28

MALDEN CATHOLIC - Matt Jandresevits 2-6-0, 21, Will Ragucci 1-4-1, 11

RECEIVING: LAWRENCE - Miguel Camacho 2-26, Manny Lara 1-29, Vargas 1-8, Ruben Morillo 1-1, Brian Perez 1-(-2)

MALDEN CATHOLIC - Rivers 1-16, Lenny St. Gordin 1-11, Ingrando 1-5