Monday October 12th 2009

Written by Derek Gless

LOWELL—The Red Arrows improved to 3-0 in the OK White and 7-0 overall with a 42-7 victory over the visiting Grand Rapids Christian Eagles.

Lowell scored on their opening possession going 77 yards in just four plays. Sophomore quarterback Gabe Dean scored on a 65-yard run to give the Red Arrows an early lead. A bad snap on the extra point attempt made the score 6-0.

Dean finished 8-of-11 for 91 yards and a touchdown through the air. He also rushed 125 yards on 10 carries.

After the defense forced a three and out the Lowell offense went back to work. Senior running back Austin Graham scored from 13-yards out to extend the Red Arrow lead. Graham's touchdown capped a three play 41 yard drive that included a 28 yard pass completion from Dean to senior wide receiver Derek Cornish. A failed to point conversion attempt made the score 12-0.

Another three and out by the Lowell defense gave the ball back to the Red Arrows at their own 37 yard line. Graham took over on the drive, carrying the ball six times for 32 yards. Dean added pass completions to Erick Ingebretson and Pat Martin and rushed twice for 16 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown. Dean also hit Keegan Hanrahan in the end-zone for a successful two point conversion. Lowell led 20-0 after the first quarter.

The Red Arrows next possession ended deep in GR Christian territory when Dean was intercepted in the end zone. A double-reverse-pass thrown by senior Pat Martin for a 46 yard gain to junior Matt Houston put the Red Arrows inside the Christian 20 yard line before the Dean interception ended the drive.

The Lowell offense wouldn't have to wait long to make up for the mistake. The defense forced another GR Christian three and out giving the ball back to the Red Arrows. Lowell marched 66 yards, mainly on the ground, for a touchdown. Graham scored on a 1-yard run and added the two-point conversion to give Lowell a 28-0 lead.

Lowell scored twice more before the half. A 7-yard run by Graham and a 10-yard touchdown pass from Dean to Cornish gave the Red Arrows a 42-0 halftime lead.

Grand Rapids Christian would get on the board late in the third quarter on a 69-yard pass completion from junior quarterback Matt Grasmeyer to junior wide receiver Jaylin Staten.

The Red Arrow defense held the Eagles to 122 total yards including just five yards on the ground. Sophomore Renn Osborne and senior Austin Tackmann both added interceptions for the defense. Tackmann returned his interception for a touchdown but the score was called back on a holding penalty.

Lowell also had a 50 yard touchdown by junior back-up quarterback Sam Steed called back in the fourth quarter on a holding call.

The Red Arrows rushed for 345 yards and finished with 482 total yards. Graham led all Lowell rushers with 132 yards on 20 carries. Cornish caught four passes for 48 yards and Houston added three receptions for 69 yards.

Lowell travels to East Grand Rapids on Friday. The Pioneers defeated Greenville 44-16 last week.