LOWELL – In a massive Merrimack Valley Conference game, Lowell defeated Billerica in comeback fashion with a wild 22-20 win at Cawley Stadium.
Lowell quarterback Seth Ly led an 80-yard drive in the final two minutes to pick up the exciting win after going down 20-16 late in the quarter. Red Raiders head coach Scott Boyle said the drive showed how Ly had adjusted to the role.
“He didn’t play QB here for three years, but he worked hard to learn how and he throws the ball really well in the games,” Boyle said. “Couldn’t have asked any more out of him in the last drive tonight.”
Billerica (3-3) came out thundering as it strung together a 15-play 78-yard drive of all runs where the Indian offensive line mauled their opponents seemingly every play. The drive was capped off by a sneak from senior quarterback Timothy Murphy from one yard out. The drive lasted over 10 minutes.
Lowell (5-1) responded immediately when Ly found junior receiver Collin Christiansen for a 50-yard bomb on the third play of the drive, and the last of the quarter. The following PAT was blocked, so Billerica kept a one-point lead.
The Indians started to put together another seemingly productive drive until a fumble stifled the plans, and Lowell took over in Billerica territory. The Red Raiders were able to take the lead on a field goal by senior Benjamin Durkin to make it 9-6 with just over four minutes left in the second quarter. This score would remain the same at the half.
Lowell did not waste any time adding onto the lead as senior Ryan Conley took the opening kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown. Both teams would trade punts for the next three possessions. With 38 seconds to go in the third, Billerica junior running back Jackson Gearin took the first handoff of the drive 75 yards to the end zone to cut the lead to 16-14.
The Red Raiders would miss a 34-yard field goal attempt on the ensuing drive to keep it a two-point contest. The Indians would get the lead back on their 10th play, a 27-yard scamper from senior running back Gryffin Bourdeau to make it 20-16 with 2:21 remaining.
That’s when Ly orchestrated the flawless 80-yard two-minute drill, completing 6-of-6 passes and finishing with an 11-yard TD connection to senior Anthony Perez with 30 seconds left. The PAT was missed to make it 22-20. Billerica started on its own 29, but did not get the ball past midfield and the last play of the game was an interception.
Ly finished 11-for-17 for 180 yards and two touchdowns in the win for Lowell. The Red Raiders host Lawrence next week, while Billerica hosts Dracut as conference play continues.
“I told our boys that it wasn’t a perfect game,” Boyle said. “But we battled and came out on top. It’s important to improve but the most important thing was that we came through adversity and were able to win against a really tough, physical team.”
