Rams Rally, Defeat Magicians 28-14

Marblehead fell to Lynn Classical 28-14 Friday night at Manning Field in a game that was decided on the ground, where Lynn Classic amassed over 250 yards. Dan Colbert and Will Quigley scored Marblehead's two touchdowns, and Oliver Kim was a perfect 2-2 on extra point attempts.

After a three-and-out on their first possession, Marblehead forced a Rams' turnover on downs and began their second drive at midfield. Quigley carried the ball for back-to-back gains of 14 and 12, respectively, setting up a completion to senior Matt Perlow who fought through tacklers and pushed the ball to the Lynn 1 yard line. Two plays later, it was Colbert running the ball up the middle on a keeper for the first touchdown of the game.

On the ensuing possession for Lynn, junior defensive back Philip Coughlin intercepted a pass from Nick Grassa and returned it into Lynn territory. It was Grassa's first passing attempt of the game. The Magicians ran three consecutive plays for minimal gains to wind down the first quarter.

Facing a fourth-and-6 situation to open the second quarter, Colbert connected with sophomore Zac Cuzner who eluded defenders and dragged would-be tacklers to pick up 22 yards. With 9:20 to play in the half Quigley took a handoff from Colbert and scampered for a 4-yard TD and a 14-0 Marblehead advantage.

Needing to shift the momentum and tempo of the game, Lynn reverted to a run-heavy attack, rushing the ball on each of the 14 plays that made up their next drive. As Marblehead head coach Jim Rudloff  the Rams effectively ran up the middle, as well as on the option to the outside by Grassa and a host of backs. The Rams senior back Keith Nance, who played a pivotal role for Lynn on the night, broke through the line from 3 yards out for the home team's first points.

A failed two-point conversion left the score 14-6 in favor of Marblehead, which would remain the score as the halftime whistle sounded. Oliver Gregory and Michael Dusenberry were in on many tackles for the Magicians defense in the half.

The teams exchanged three-and-out performances to open the second half. On Lynn's second drive of the half, the offense again elected to keep the ball on the ground, tallying over 40 rushing yards, including a 24-yard touchdown burst by Sam Rios to cut the Marblehead lead to two.

The Rams would take their first lead of the contest on a 28-yard fake handoff keeper early in the fourth quarter by Grassa, who also rushed to complete the two-point conversion attempt for a 20-14 score favoring the home team.

With 4:43 remaining in regulation and the Magicians trailing by six, Gregory forced a Lynn fumble that was recovered by the Magicians defense.

Colbert began marching his squad downfield from the Lynn 38 yard line for one last shot to tie the game. Marblehead earned a first down on the drive, but a holding penalty cost them precious yards and brought up a first-and-20 situation.

After two incomplete passes and a short rush by Colbert, Marblehead was faced with a fourth-and-18 to their preserve their hopes of winning. The Rams defensive line applied significant pressure, forcing Colbert to scramble and take a shot downfield. Lynn defensive back Keith Nance tracked down the pass and reeled it in before rumbling 87 yards for the final score of the game, handing Lynn the 28-14 victory.

The Magicians travel to Hingham Saturday, Oct. 2 for their next game. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m