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Londonderry’s Lambert celebrates birthday with 4 TDs

Friday, November, 06 By Christopher Smith

LONDONDERRY, N.H. — The birthday boy Alex Lambert caught a punt at his team’s own 47, burst through a hole near the center of the field, accelerated some more and darted 53 yards for the touchdown. The 5-8, 150-pound Londonderry senior, who turned 18 yesterday, celebrated his big day in impressive style, leading the Lancers to a 40-13 rout over Manchester West.
Lambert rushed 24 times for 217 yards, including touchdown sprints of 23 and 3 yards. He completed both passes he threw for 56 yards total, including firing a 46-yard TD.  
The highlight of the day for him though was his punt return since it is so rare.
“I haven’t done that in years,” Lambert said. “The last time was freshmen year. I just took the ball, got good blocking and just shot right up the middle and it was open.”
Lambert comes from an athletic family. His brother, Eagle-Tribune All-Star Ryan Lambert, played football for Londonderry before graduating in 2007. Although Alex certainly does not share the same large build as Ryan — who played linebacker and fullback — the younger sibling does a nice job relying on his quickness.
The senior rushed for 60 yards on Londonderry’s 68-yard opening drive, which resulted in a touchdown.
Lambert lined up at running back, with a wingback beside him, and took many direct snaps.
“I just get the balls straight up shotgun and the holes were huge,” Lambert said.
Sophomore wingback Sean O’Gorman added about Lambert: “He’s an all-around good player. His punt return was the first one we’ve had all season. Even coach Rich has been saying we needed one every game. He’s wicked fast and agile.”
Londonderry put the game away in the second quarter by outscoring Manchester West 27-6 to take a 34-6 lead.
The 27-point second quarter included a 43-yard TD pass from Ross Johnston to Kevin Hale.
Hale was mobbed by his teammates in the end zone. It was a well-deserved celebration as Hale was playing his first game after sitting out the first three weeks with a slight MCL tear suffered during the preseason.
“It was pretty exciting,” Hale said. “It was pretty cool that my first reception back ended up being a touchdown like that. It was a perfect pass by Ross. He put it right on me.”