Harris Sparks Warriors Football Team to First Win of the Season

Two big passes were just what the Lincoln-Sudbury football team needed.

The second, a late touchdown pass from quarterback Matt Cahill to John Harris, would give the Warriors the lead and help seal a 14-7 home victory over Marshfield High in the rain.

"Our offense played well and threw the ball positively," said L-S head coach Thomas Lopez. "Both teams played hard and we got a couple breaks at the end."

With less than six minutes left and the game tied at 7-all, the Warriors would drive the ball down to Marshfield's 14-yard line. A pass from Cahill to Harris, both juniors, in the corner would give L-S a 14-7 lead.

"It was an out and up and the defender bit," said Harris. "Cahill put it where only I could get to it."

"(Harris) did a great job of using his body and pulling it in," added Cahill.

Two plays into Marshfield's next drive, junior quarterback Mark Pomella would throw an outside pass that L-S junior Gregory Strait would pick off. With 1:48 left in the game, senior running back Marc Pace sealed the game with a first down.

"I saw them last week against Dracut score 35 points," said Lopez. "They have an explosive offense.

"I was very proud of our defense."

L-S would threaten early with a kick return by sophomore Brian Carroll to Marshfield's 27-yard line. An interception thrown by Cahill would end the drive.

"I think that gave us a lot of confidence," said Lopez. "Even though we turned the ball over two plays later."

Marshfield struck first by scoring on an 8-yard run from junior Mike Williams. The "down" play was the first of the second half.

"It is made for a team with defensive ends that come up the field a lot," said Marshfield head coach Lou Silva. "That is what these guys did against us to take away our outside game.

"We said 'OK, we will try to go inside on them,' and we had some really solid blocks."

L-S responded five minutes later on its own 42-yard line with a streak pass from Cahill to Harris. Harris would initially bobble the catch, but would hold on to run over 30 yards to the end zone.

"I was running along the sideline and was a little surprised to look up and see it coming," said Harris. "I batted it around and somehow it ended up in my hand.

"(You) just got to keep your eye on the ball."

The two juniors would combine for 80 passing yards. Cahill would throw two interceptions, but would settle in to throw for over 100 yards.

"Harris can make those catches for you," said Cahill. "It is a luxury to have him.

"The offensive line really opened up our offense."

Both teams' defensive lines would have a strong game. L-S would have three fourth-down stops, two by junior William Twyman.

Lopez noted performances from defensive linemen Tyler Dawy and Kelvin Sanders (both juniors) and Zach Smerlas and Larence Stevenson (both seniors).

"We had a little bit of bending there between the 20s on some inside traps," said Lopez. "(But) our whole defense played well."

Silva recognized the performance by Pomella, who combined for over 80 yards of offense for Marshfield.

"He ran the ball well," said Silva. "Also, other than those two passes, our defense played pretty strong."

The victory is L-S's first of the season. The Warriors will play next Friday away at Masconomet High.

"As a team we came out and gave a tremendous effort," said Cahill."For me it is one of the best wins I have had."

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