What these kids from Lexington and Concord did in 4th down and long situations was an important and surprising aspect of their game. I felt it deserved a feature article.
LEXINGTON, MA. September 19, 2016
A football coach doesn’t have too many attractive options for 3rd and long beyond the screen pass and hope. Even worse for 4th down. But if you’re a coach with the quarterbacks and receivers that Lexington and Concord Carlisle have on their rosters, there’s always a chance.
In last Friday night’s Battle Road showdown in Lexington both offenses excelled certainly, but what they managed when the two defenses got them in 3rd and 4th down and long situations was downright shocking.
On their opening drive the Minutemen moved smartly from their own 42 to the CC 26 when the wheels started to come off. 2 incomplete passes and a penalty found them in 4th and 10. No problem as Junior quarterback Sal Frelick and Senior Ben Quint teamed up on a swing pass for 12 yards and a first down. Frelick scored on the next play.
Down 28-14 with little time remaining in the first half, CC needed a score. After moving deep into Lexington territory, things got dicey with two running plays losing 4 yards and an illegal procedure penalty making things worse. Facing 4th and goal from the 17 Quarterback Jack Easterday lofted a perfect pass over very tight coverage to Alex Hamel in the right corner of the end zone. Not bad for 4th and 17.
On CC’s last drive, again coming from behind as they were all night, the Lexington defense cornered the Patriots twice; 4th and 5 at the Lexington 39 and again with 4th and 6 at the Lexington 23 only to see Easterday connect with Hamel both times to wriggle free and keep the scoring drive alive that tied the Minutemen at 28.
Of course, the Minutemen and Frelick had their final 4th down drama a few minutes later. Now with the score tied and the game on the line Lexington faced 4th and 9 on the Patriot 27. Frelick calmly dropped back, found his receiver, the long Spencer Kendall, and hit him between the numbers for a first down at the 9. It was the key play on what turned out to be the winning drive.
4th and long coach? We got this.