By Henry Cruz-Rivera

Andover MA – Lowell MA 9/29/17

“Lowell sucks!” “Their record is a fluke they faced bad teams!” “Andover is gonna get upset!” the crowd shouts.

The Lowell Red Raiders are 3-0 fresh off a blowout home victory against Chelmsford, and on this final September Friday evening they were victorious over the Andover Golden Warriors continuing the streak.

Also winning another home game against Lawrence and a thrilling and high scoring road victory vs Cambridge, Andover was 2-1 fresh off of two straight victories after losing their first to BC High, and were pumped up as they had a home game against the underdog Lowell team.

The Andover game started off with Lowell jumping to a quick 13-0 lead. On the first possession Lowell got a rushing touchdown from Anthony Doung and it set the tone for the game. Lowell controlled most of the game.

Both sides traded blows and Lowell went on a crazy run going up 45-20 on the road. Once the fourth quarter came though, it was a new game. Andover surged back scoring 28 unanswered points including a ridiculous pass from near midfield on 4th and 6 going for it.

They took the lead 48-45 with roughly over a minute left in the game. It seemed to be a gritty victory for Andover and the loud Lowell crowd died down. On the kick off the Andover receiver dropped the ball and it was placed on their own 3 yard line. This meant there was a minute left to go…97 yards to win.

A huge pass was thrown 50 yards and completed to Lowell’s Anquantise Byard and the Red Raiders kept gaining yards and running out of bounds to stop the clock. Until it was finally brought to 1st and goal.

Lowell’s quarterback Curtis Gentles threw a pass and the receiver caught it inches shy of the end zone. There was only three seconds left in the game. Both sides of the crowd were quiet and tense and the drama arose.

To finish it off Lowell’s running back Justin Villanueva ran the ball in with no time left to win the game 51-48 and pull off a road upset and keep the Red Raiders undefeated.