Friday November 27th 2009

Written by Derek Gless

Lowell won their third state title of the decade with a 27-6 victory over Detroit Inkster in the division two final at Ford Field.

The Red Arrows got it done on the ground rushing for 290 yards on 54 attempts. Sophomore quarterback Gabe Dean led the way, rushing for 177 yards on 23 carries. Senior Austin Graham rushed 29 times for 102 yards and two touchdowns.

Lowell attempted only three passes in the game with their only completion coming on a failed fake field goal try.

The Red Arrow defense set the tone early by holding Inkster, and Michigan bound quarterback Devin Gardner, to three plays and negative five yards on the opening possession of the game. The big play in the series came from Jon Destine, who sacked Gardner on third down.

After the Inkster punt, Dean and Graham led the Red Arrows right down the field. Graham capped an eight play 40 yards drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. Inkster blocked the point after giving Lowell a 6-0 lead. Dean carried the ball four times for 25 yards and Graham added four carries for 10 yards.

Both teams traded punts on their next possessions and the Red Arrows led 6-0 after the first quarter.

The Vikings would tie the game two minutes into the second quarter when DaShawn Bell rushed into the end zone from 1-yard out. Inkster failed to complete a two-point conversion keeping the score 6-6. The touchdown by Bell completed an eight play 70 yard drive for the Vikings. Gardner completed 2-of-2 pass attempts for 41 yards, including a 33 yard completion to Deon Butler. Bell rushed four times for 32 yards on the drive.

Lowell answered just two minutes later when Dean capped a six play 60 yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run. Dean rushed for 50 yards on three carries, including a 36 yard run to set up his touchdown. Graham added 10 yards on three carries. The Red Arrows failed to convert on a two-point run and led 12-6.

The Red Arrow defense continued their strong play defensively on Inkster's next possession. Sophomore Renn Osborne intercepted Gardner on a fourth and one and returned the ball 22 yards to the Viking's 41 yard line.

The interception by Osborne would set up Lowell's third score of the half. Dean rushed into the end zone from 7-yards out with just under two minutes to go in the first half to give the Red Arrows a 19-6 lead. All 41 yards of the seven play drive came on the ground for Lowell. Graham rushed for 19 yards on four carries and Dean added 22 yards on three attempts.

Lowell moved the ball down to the Inkster nine yard line to open the third quarter but failed to convert on a fake field goal, turning the ball over to Inkster on downs. The Red Arrows ate 5:43 off the clock by moving 47 yards in eleven players.

Neither team would score until Lowell extended their lead to 27-6 with 8:44 to play in the final quarter. Graham scored from 1-yard out and Dean completed a two-point pass to senior Derek Cornish on the drive. All of Lowell's yards came on the ground on the twelve play 45 yard drive. Dean rushed four times for 32 yards and Graham added 13 yards on eight tough runs.

The Lowell defense held Inkster to just 66 yards on the ground on 22 attempts. Senior Randy Hogan led the Lowell defense with 7 tackles.

Gardner completed 9-of-17 passes for 134 yards. His favorite receiver was Deon Butler who had seven receptions for 114 yards.

Jon Destine, Keegan Hanrahan, and Sam Young all recorded sacks on Gardner.

Lowell's time of possession was 29:15, compared to 18:45 for Inkster.

For complete game statistics click here.