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Lowell 45, Northview 15 – O-line drives Lowell to O-K White win over Northview

Momentum doesn’t carry over from week to week, but good offensive line play can.

That was the case Friday night as Lowell rolled to a 45-15 O-K White Conference win over Northview.

“Our offensive line came together last week in the second half against East Grand Rapids,” said Lowell football coach Noel Dean. “It had a decision to make. What was it going to be? It made the right decision.”

What it did in the second half against EGR and against the Wildcats was fire off the ball drive its opponent back.

Driven by last week's second-half success, Lowell's offensive line was instrumental in Lowell running for 335 yards against Northview.

 

The result against Northview was 335 yards rushing. The biggest beneficiary of its work was quarterback Gabe Dean.  The senior ran the ball 29 times, amassing 226 yards while rushing for five touchdowns.

“Credit the offensive line. It stepped up as an offensive unit,” Gabe Dean said. “It’s play will define what type team we’re going to be.”

What is clear, is the type of player/leader Dean wants to be going forward. “I need to relax and just enjoy the game. I’ve carried around too much stress. It’s time to relax and enjoy the time I have left as the Lowell quarterback.”

Lowell needed less than three minutes  on its opening drive to put up the game’s first crooked number. The 60-yard drive culminated with a five-yard touchdown run by Dean.

The Red Arrows added a second quarter 37-yard Grant Brueker filed goal and a Dean two-yard scoring burst as they took a 17-0 lead into half-time.

The victory, Lowell’s sixth of the year, qualifies the Red Arrows for yet another playoff berth.

“We’re happy to be in the playoffs. It’s a special moment and it’s not something we take for granted,” Lowell’s coach explained.

Lowell tallied touchdowns on each of its first four second half  possessions. Dean did the honors on the first three with runs of two, eight and 40 yards. Titan Anderson ended the scoring with a 10-yard, fourth quarter scamper.

Red Arrow Reed Stormzand stops this Northview rushing effort.

Northview ran for just 53 yards and threw for 145. All seven completions were to senior wide out Kevin Rich. He caught touchdown passes of 74 and two yards.

The 6-1 Red Arrows will travel to Greenville Friday night. The Yellow Jackets defeated Lowell last year 35-21.