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Lakewood rallies again for late TD,
victory
Published in the Asbury Park Press 10/15/00
By TONY GRAHAM
STAFF WRITER
LAKEWOOD -- Quarterback Andrew Nelson said he would rather win a
close football game than a lopsided contest. With Lakewood, he's
certainly among friends.
"This is the way I would rather it be," said Nelson, a
sophomore, who yesterday led a Piners' rally for the third time this
season, turning a two-touchdown deficit into a last-minute, 26-22
victory over Middletown North in a Shore Conference Constitution Game.
"I don't like blowouts," Nelson said. "This is a lot
more fun."
Nelson's 7-yard jump pass over the middle to tight end Thomas Carroll
with 15 seconds left vaulted Lakewood (4-1, 4-1) into a three-way tie
for the division lead with Toms River South and Lacey.
"We let it slip away, there's no two ways about it," said
John Oxley, coach of Middletown North (3-3, 3-3).
Trailing 22-8 after a 20-yard TD by North's Dan DeRisi with 3:07 left
in the third quarter, Lakewood drew within 22-14 less than two minutes
later when Nelson and Rashawn Haynes hooked up on a 16-yard pass.
The Piners struck again with 5:15 remaining in the game when
sophomore defensive back J.R. Smith scooped up a fumble and raced 75
yards to make it 22-20.
"That was huge," said Oxley. "Even if we stalled
there, we make them them drive the length of the field and they may not
even have enough time to do that, never mind twice."
North tackle Justin Gecik stopped Carroll in his tracks on a
two-point conversion attempt, but the game's momentum had swung
dramatically.
"With that touchdown, I knew we were going to win the
game," Nelson said. "We had time and they couldn't stop
us."
Starting at its 39 with 2:29 left, a holding penalty on the Lions, a
16-yard Nelson-to-Quadree Swain completion, a 17-yard draw by Nelson,
and a 9-yard pass to Jamal Dew helped Lakewood reach the 3 with 51
seconds showing. Another penalty forced Lakewood back but the Piners
were unfazed.
Nelson said the winning pass was supposed to be a hitch to Haynes but
that he made eye contact with Carroll and changed the play.
"I tapped my face mask which means, 'I'm looking at you
(Carroll),' " Nelson said. "He knew where the opening
was."
The 6-5, 225-pound Carroll made the reception as defenders slammed
into his body.
"I knew I was going to take the hit," he said. "I just
tried to secure the ball, come down with it, and make sure we got the
score."
from the Asbury Park Press
Published on October 15, 2000 |
