Concord-Carlisle Football Team Makes Statement Against L-S

The Concord-Carlisle High Schooll football team played hard and came away with a "statement" win against Lincoln-Sudbury on Friday night.

The defense was stifling in the first half and helped push the Patriots to the 28-9 victory over the Warriors (3-2), who entered the game with just one loss.

After Concord-Carlisle (3-2) quarterback Peter George marched down the field and scored on the opening drive with two excellent pass plays and a punch-in run by Anthony West, the Patriots forced the Warriors to punt. Lincoln-Sudbury picked up just two first downs the entire half.

Even when the Patriots turned the ball over on their own 30-yardline, the defense focused and came up with an interception that drastically shifted the momentum of the game. 

"The defense played great again," said coach Mike Robichaud. "We prepared as best as we can against their personnel packages." 

The most pivotal touchdown of the game came during the first quarter when Lincoln-Sudbury's quarterback, Matthew Cahill, dropped back and to pass in a third-and-3 situation. Concord-Carlisle's Max Barrett worked his way into the pocket and pounded Cahill, forcing his throw to veer into the ready hands of Patriot Henry Bumpus. He took the interception all the way back for a touchdown.

"It felt like a complete win," said coach Robichaud, "a team win.  Yah, there are things that need to be improved, but ... it's great for them to get their mojo back."

The balance of Patriots' offense was evident.  Even the passing game succeeded for the Patriots, an admittedly ground-game focused team.  Henry Bumpus was invaluable to the offense, producing more than 25 yards receiving on their decisive third-quarter drive.

Concord-Carlisle scored its final touchdown on a double fake run to go ahead 28-2 and invigorate the crowd.       

Late in the third quarter, the Warriors found new life.   They drove for a touchdown off of runs by Mark Pace and two great passing plays by Matt Cahill, ending in a leaping grab by Brian Carroll. The L-S defense followed that up by walloping C-C running back George Craan to force a turnover on the Patriots' kick return. 

But, because the Patriots had built up a comfortable lead, the Warriors couldn't pose any real threat. Once Lincoln-Sudbury failed to convert with 10 minutes remaining in the game, the Patriots marched on a 10-minute, clock consuming drive to seal the victory. 

The Patriots look to get another team win on Friday against Westford Academy.