Both Fenton’s offensive scheme and its coach were familiar to the Red Arrows and their coach Noel Dean.
Fenton’s spread offense had averaged 30 points a game as it entered Saturday’s regional final against Lowell.
“We’re seeing more and more of that,” said Dean. “We’re the anti that (spread). We’re the put your hand in the dirt and play football.”
With its collective hands in the dirt, Lowell’s offensive line powered Lowell as it churned up 361 yards rushing en route to a 35-14 win against the Tigers.
“Lowell is very good at what it does. It’s patient and disciplined. They get two, three, four yards a crack and then they will break one,” said Fenton coach Jeff Setzke.
Gabe Dean rushed for over 240 yards and three touchdowns in Lowell's 35-14 win over Fenton on Saturday.
The win advances Lowell to the Division 2 semi final Saturday against Walled Lake Western (a 20-14 winner over Port Huron). It marks the third straight year Lowell has reached the semi final.
“We came out and did what we do well. The boys played with a level of intensity.Our offensive line did a really nice job out there today,” Dean said.
Much of the game’s buildup was focused on Dean and Setzke being brother-in-laws.
“That received a lot of media attention. I look at it that we lost and you’re never happy when you don’t win,” Setzke explained. “Lowell’s got a great team and has built a great tradition. We’re a program on the rise.”
Dean explained that when the game started it was Lowell competing against Fenton.
When that was the focus, Lowell dominated play with a possession munching offense that never once punted. The Red Arrows stopped themselves three times with fumbles.
Joshua Addington busts through with the help of some timely blocking by Lowell's offensive line.
Lowell quarterback Gabe Dean ran for a season-high 244 yards and scored three touchdowns.
Joshua Addington eclipsed the century mark (107 yards) and scored two touchdowns.
Through the air Dean completed 6-of-9 passes for 85 yards. Luke Bigham took in four of the receptions for 58 yards.
Lowell strung together five scoring drives of 59, 65, 80, 80 and 97 yards. The Red Arrows averaged 11 plays per drive with the its longest being 15.
“I felt we stayed the course,” Dean said. “I thought we did a nice job up front. Long drives can take the wind out of a team’s sail. And it gives us a chance to rest our defense,”Dean explained. Lowell’s QB scored on runs of one, two and 14 yards. Addington found the end zone from a yard and 17 yards out.
Lowell's defense restricted Fenton to 27 yards rushing and 198 through the air.
“It was classic Lowell football. It is very difficult to defend,” Setzke said. “I’m happy for Noel and Lowell. I want them to go on and win a state title so that our guys know they lost to the champs. We came in here trying to win, and it didn’t happen. But this is the kind of game that will make us better for the future.”
