Quakers tame Lions
LINCOLN – Though shall not turn the football over. If only Lincoln honored the sport’s most important commandment.
The Lions committed four turnovers during Friday’s Division II season opener against Moses Brown. On three occasions, the Quakers generated touchdowns off the Lincoln turnovers. That stat proved quite telling as the Lions fell, 27-8, at Ferguson Field.
The Quakers received plenty of fuel with junior quarterback David Farber passing for two scores. Senior Christian Carullo scored three times (two rushing, one receiving). Lincoln’s lone touchdown came with one minute remaining in the game as sophomore Christian Petrone ran off left tackle for a 20-yard score. Senior Erick Solorzano tacked on the twopoint attempt.
“We’re young in a lot of spots and that’s going to catch up with you. This game moves pretty fast,” said Lincoln head coach Sean Cavanaugh. “They wore us down a bit, but we’re going to focus on the positives.”
The Lions were moving the ball on their second offensive series of the game, picking up two first downs as they advanced into Moses Brown territory. On fourth down and with the ball at the Quaker 41-yard-line, Lincoln threw an interception that helped set up a relatively short field for the Clippers.
Moses Brown needed just five plays before finding the end zone with 24 seconds left in the opening quarter. Farber hit Carullo on a screenplay that covered 25 yards. The Quakers struck again right before halftime with Farber finding junior Logan Ziegeler for a 29-yard catch-and-run that helped the visitors extend the lead to 13-0.
The third quarter was a tough one for the home team. After coming out with pressure that helped force Moses Brown in a three-and-out, Lincoln gave the ball right back. On the punt attempt, the ball hit a Lincoln player with Moses Brown recovering.
The turnover loomed even larger when Carullo added his second score, a one-yard plunge that padded Moses Brown’s lead at 20-0. Lincoln didn’t possess the ball long on the ensuing possession as a one-play drive ended with an interception. The sting from the turnover of the quarter was felt right away as Cardullo clinched his three-touchdown night with a 47-yard gallop down the sideline.
“We’ve got to put the whole thing together,” said Cavanaugh.
Lincoln’s next game is next Friday at Mount Pleasant.
“We’re young in a lot of spots and that’s going to catch up with you. This game moves pretty fast.”
— Sean Cavanaugh