It was a workman-like performance following their big season-opening win against Rockford and before their annual Pink Arrow event and football game against Grand Haven.
“I thought the kids showed good focus and looked good coming off a big game against Rockford,” said Lowell football coach Noel Dean following his clubs 38-0 shutout over Lansing Eastern Thursday night at Red Arrow Memorial Stadium on Bob Perry Field.
For the Quakers it was the toughest of challenges following a 33-20 loss in the opener to Cadillac. However, it isn’t one head coach Robert McBride regrets.
“Some may ask why would you play a team (Lowell) like this and my question is why wouldn’t play a team like Lowell,” McBride explained. “This is one of the toughest teams in the state so why not gauge yourself against them.”
What McBride saw is a Quaker squad who showed flashes of being where they need to be to compete at the level of Lowell.
“We’re getting there with the x’s and o’s and now we need commitment,” McBride explained. “Tonight was a learning experience and a lot of kids got a lot of reps.”
Lowell scored touchdown on its firsts three possessions on drives of 90, 99 and 71 yards.
Kanon Dean capped off a 90-yard drive with a five-yard first-quarter bursts. A second scoring drive of 99-yards followed with Titan Anderson running it in from 14 yards out.
Lowell’s third touchdown drive of 71 yards was completed when Kyler Shurlow raced in from the seven yard line.
The Red Arrows opened the third quarter with a 37-yard field goal off the foot of Austin Bieri, giving Lowell a 24-0 advantage.
The Red Arrows tallied two fourth quarter touchdowns on runs of five yards by Anderson and a 13-yard yard run by Zach Dawson.
Eastern’s best chance to put a crooked number up on the board followed a Lowell fumbled punt in the fourth quarter. The Quakers had the ball at the Lowell 12, but were unable to advance it.
Eastern finished the game with 13 yards rushing and 63 yards through the air.
Lowell churned out 286 yards on the ground and 82 through the air.
Lowell plays smash mouth football and at times we were able to respond to that,” McBride said.
The Red Arrows also played two quarterbacks Thursday night.
“We knew going in that Kyler (Shurlow) would get a series,” Dean said afterwards.
Shurlow made the most of it, driving the Red Arrows 71 yards in two-and-a-half minutes. he completed He completed four-of-five passes for 41 yard while rushing fro 31 yards.
“I was told before the game that I might get a couple of series,” Shurlow explained. “It was fun out there. I was able to work into things right away.”
For Shurlow’s teammmate, what a difference a week makes.
“It was definitely different out there this week than last week. I was more relaxed and confident,’ Anderson said. “Tonight, I was able to make checks and help the line out. It’s a great feeling to be able to step up my final year like this.”