Turnovers spoil Red Devils conference opener at Highland, lose 23-13
A USA-365.com Special Report By Mark Smith

Friday, Sept. 13, 2002 

Scoring Summary:

1st Q: LOWELL (3-0)   Tim Sova, 23-yard field goal. (1st FG)
2nd Q: HIGHLAND (3-3)  Chris Johansen, 25-yard field goal. (2nd FG)
3rd Q: HIGHLAND (3-10)  Kevin Thomas, 7-yard pass (2nd TD catch)  from Kris Boyd (3rd TD pass).   Chris Johansen kick.
LOWELL (6-10)   Tim Sova, 35-yard field goal. (2nd FG)
4th Q: HIGHLAND (6-17) Ricky Haft, 1-yard run (1st TD)  Johansen kick
HIGHLAND (6-23) Kris Boyd, 28-yard run. Johansen kick.
LOWELL (13-23) Scott Schulz, 93-yard kickoff return (1st career TD)  Tim Sova kick.


HIGHLAND (9-13-2002)  You can't win with six turnovers.
Lowell knew that before they got to Highland Friday night for their Lake Athletic Conference (LAC) opener. But the Red Devils couldn't run their offense without giving the ball away, especially in the second half and they fell to Highland 23-13 in a game that probably should've been decided by more than 10 points.

Lowell fumbled on their first possession of the second half and Highland QB Kris Boyd (5 of 16, 72 yards) hit end Kevin Thomas for a 7-yard TD to put the Trojans ahead for good.

Lowell's Tim Sova kicked a career-best 35-yard field goal to cut the lead to 10-6 but Ricky Hanft's first career TD made it 17-6 heading to the fourth quarter.

Four second half turnovers iced the game by the time Boyd, the junior Highland QB, ran 28 yards to make it 23-6 with 4:14 to play. Scott Schulz ran the kickoff back 93 yards for a touchdown that was exciting but meaning less.

Lowell's defense did a fine job, holding a Highland team that rolled up 440 yards against Hammond to just 221 total yards and 11 first downs.  But Lowell gained an unofficial 159 yards rushing and they could not complete a pass all night for the second time this season.

The Red Devils have allowed just 16.2 points per game and nobody's scored more than 23 in any of the four games. But with virtually an all new offense this season,  the Devils' defense is going to have to become even more effective for before the Devils can return to the winning form of the past three seasons.

Lowell held Highland rushing leader Brett Bach, a 175-pound halfback, to 78 yards on 23 carries. Lowell's Justin Henley carried 20 times for 116 yards and the Devils did make 10 first downs. But with four fumbles and two interceptions, it's a wonder the offense produced the six points they did score. Lowell has now lost 10 fumbles in four games and they have 14 total turnovers.

The Red Devils played without fullback-linebackers Toby Goetz and Randy Lukasik,  both of whom are injured and will also probably miss the Sept. 20 game with Hammond. Soph fullback-linebacker Chris Garza played with a broken hand that limited him to defense.

But the truth is, the lack of three running backs doesn't make your team turn it over six times.  If this game serves as a kind of shock treatment and Lowell doesn't fumble four times for the rest of the season, then this night was of value. Otherwise, it was just a game where they didn't really give themselves a chance to win.


DEVIL NOTES:  Scott Schulz' 93-yard kickoff return was the second kickoff return touchdown of the season for Lowell. Justin Henley ran a kickoff back 91 yards against Lake Station on Aug. 30.  Justin Henley recorded his third consecutive 100-yard rushing game.  Tim Sova has converted eight extra points in a row and 14 of 15 this season.  The Red Devils have just 122 yards passing this season.

GRID GRADES

DEFENSE (B)

You don't notice it because they're 2-2 but the Red Devil defense has not allowed more than 263 yards in any game this season.  Lowell's defense has given up only five touchdowns in four games.  Highland's Kris Boyd was held to 5 of 16, 72 yards and Brett Bach was limited to 78 yards on 23 carries.  Despite six turnovers, the game was not absolutely over until Boyd scored the final Trojan TD with 4:14 left.

That's a credit to everyone on defense for Lowell, who was playing without Toby Goetz, a starting linebacker all season long.  Lowell also got an interception and recovered a fumble. Considering the opposition, this might've been Lowell's best defensive game of the season.

OFFENSE (F+)

Sorry, boys, you can't win with six turnovers and no completed passes. I don't want to be too hard on the offense but there are three power teams left on the Lowell schedule (Griffith, Munster and Andrean) that  are going to show no mercy on the Devils if they can't move the ball any better than this.  The plus is for Tim Sova, who showed that he could hit field goals in a close game and Scott Schulz, who has the speed to be a potent kick returner for a long time to come.  The worry is how many kickoffs he'll have to run back against those three teams I mentioned.