It was worth the wait. After getting word Longmeadow was stuck in traffic and the game would start approximately an hour after the originally scheduled kickoff, it was fair to assume that one of the two teams would have a hard time getting going. That couldn't have been further from the truth. Two superbly coached teams fought each other tooth and nail, with the Western Mass visitors coming out on top thanks to a last second field goal, 27-26.
The first quarter was all Longmeadow, with the Lancers perfectly executing the Wing-T en route to a 14-0 lead. Ben Sterrit scored first, punching home a 2 yard TD run. Terry Norris struck next from one yard out on their very next possession. Catholic Memorial would answer right away. The Knights were able to cut the deficit in half thanks to a 13-yard Armani Reeves scamper that ended an extremely balanced march by CM.
The resulting Longmeadow drive swung the momentum entirely in CM's favor, as they attempted to go away from the ground game and stretch the CM defense. The risk was for not however, as Reeves picked off QB Jacob Lazarus around mid-field, setting up the Knights' next scoring drive, which ended with junior quarterback Adam Doyle finding Reeves on for a 16 yard touchdown pass.
But Longmeadow did not roll over on their next possession, which started with about 1:45 left in the half. They fed Norris and Nathan Elder, who set them up for a go-ahead 30 yard field goal as time expired.
CM would open the second half with Doyle and company going right back to work. Again CM was able to utilize the fantastically electrifying Earl to draw the Longmeadow defense in, then go up top, with Reeves and Doyle hooking up again, this time from 11 yards out.
The Knights were able to find the end zone just before the time ran out in the third, this time with Earl leaving everyone in his wake, scampering 42 yards and pushing the Knights' lead to 26-17. Then, as you would expect to happen when two teams who work this hard square off, things got very interesting, very quickly.
Longmeadow would go right back to the ground game. After softening the middle of the CM defense, Elder would break free again, cutting the CM lead to 26-24. Longmeadow would threaten to take the lead on their very next drive. After again putting on a Wing-T clinic, they coughed up the ball at the CM 40 with 2:52 left. It appeared all but over after that. Earl would again break free, this time for 35 yards, setting CM up deep in Longmeadow territory. But after that run, something seemed to click on the Longmeadow sideline. They stuffed CM on three consecutive plays, then on 4th and 12 down, they broke up a pass that got them the ball back, but with a whole lot of field to make up. Not a problem. They marched right down the field in traditional Longmeadow style.
CM would tighten however. They were able to generate push, and with 5 seconds left, stuff a Lancer last ditch attempt to score the go-ahead TD. But Longmeadow refused to be denied. They marched out their kicker, who slammed home the winner through the uprights with 5 seconds remaining on the clock. Doyle's last second Hail Mary sent short, and the payback for last year's 35-33 loss to the Knights at home was complete. A few thoughts...Longmeadow
- As is to be expected of any Longmeadow team, their backs were fantastic. Nathan Elder and Terry Norris were the most impressive. Norris is a north-south runner who runs low, hard, and with good vision. He has a sturdy build, and uses his body to his advantage, many times dishing out the punishment as opposed to absorbing it. There were very few times he was taken down by a single tackler. Elder is a patient, quick runner who allows his blocks to set, then explodes behind them. He was perhaps the biggest reason the Scissors play worked so well for Longmeadow, as he consistently was able to fly past the first line of defenders, then make the CM secondary miss. A talented duo for Coach Rotsko.
- I was very impressed with Longmeadow quarterback Jacob Lazarus. He has a quick, sturdy drop back, a quick release, and throws a very tight ball. While he appears a bit mechanical at times, and has a tendency to try and fit the ball into tight spaces, he is definitely someone that can win a game for the Lancers should he need to. Had a teammate of his not dropped a beautifully thrown pass in the end zone late in the third, this game may not have been as tight.
Catholic Memorial
- Adam Doyle is the real deal. Strong arm, good mechanics, fundamentally sound. I won't go too far into him today because I'll have our full breakdown of who we think are the top 4 signal callers in the state Monday, but boy is this kid good. Real good.
- There's something about these Catholic Conference backs I love. It's no secret I think Preston Cooper is quite possibly the best running back in the state. But after watching William Earl last night, he may not even be the best running back in the conference. Earl has all the makings of a legitimate AQLongmeadow is by no means a small bunch. But every time Earl got the ball, he broke a tackle. I'm not exaggerating. Every time. What should have been 2 yard gains were 5. On one long run, he broke a tackle at the line of scrimmage, then another 10 yards down field. A very intriguing prospect to say the least
- Armani Reeves was as good as expected. He catches the ball away from his body, does not break stride when making cuts, and carries himself like a man on the field. His route running is above average, but he is so much faster than his competition, it hasn't made much of a difference. His most impressive play of the day was his second quarter pick, which showcased his ball skills, as he went up and over the Longmeadow receiver for for the takeaway.
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