PEABODY – It wasn’t how head coach Scott Boyle and the Lowell High football team wanted to start the preseason.
Lowell – who posted a 4-7 season on the turf last fall while missing the state tournament – suffered an 0-4 showing at last summer’s Northeast 7-on-7 tournament.
The Red Raiders are hoping their East Regional Open Division championship on Saturday at Bishop Fenwick will be the first domino to fall in a comeback campaign this fall.
Anchored by quarterback Seth Ly, Lowell stormed to a 3-1 record in pool play before climbing to the title match against Woburn and prevailing by a score of 20-12.
“It is still seven-on-seven, but the fact of the matter is you still got to be able to do it,” Boyle said. “The kids – this gives them confidence… and that’s what I like. They know they can do it, and then take this success here back to work next week.”
Lowell outlasted 20 schools in the open division on the way to hardware, knocking off Governor’s Academy, Masco and Danvers in pool play to enter the playoffs with a 3-1 record. The Red Raiders then edged Needham and Winchester to punch a ticket to the final.
Ly – who Boyle said only got better as the day progressed – delivered in the finals with three touchdown passes to stymie Woburn.
Ryan Conley was one of his top targets in the playoff matches, finding the quick receiver all over the field to place Lowell in scoring position.
“I’ve been playing with Seth since like fifth grade – we grew up together,” Conley said. “He’s my guy, so the connection has just been there.”
Collin Christiansen also played a major role in the success. He snagged the first two Lowell touchdown passes to set the tone.
“I’m just proud of their effort,” Boyle said. “Played with a lot of heart, toughness and they played together.”
Meanwhile, St. Mary’s (Lynn) dominated against Greater Lowell Tech on the other half of the turf to easily take the Small Division crown, 28-15.
The Spartans rattled off wins over Lynn Tech and Swampscott en route to the championship.
“You get your team together in the summer and they get to have a good time and they get to compete,” said head coach Sean Driscoll. “So we want to see people compete on both sides of the football obviously, and we got some seniors this year who have been working really hard, so it’s a good tribute to them at the end of the day.”
Yaniel Belliard was the field general at quarterback, fueling a high-octane offense along with receivers Sam Phelps and Michael Sherman.
“Those fade balls for sure,” Sherman said on what was working between him and Belliard. “Seeing when I’m open, for sure, and seeing the mismatches as well. Once he saw me open, he got it to me.”
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