Pats tame Lions in league opener

Matt Metcalf
Posted 9/29/15

Pilgrim’s bye in Week 1 didn’t seem to throw off its game in the slightest, as the Pats used an all-around effort to down Lincoln, 22-12, in their season and home opener on Friday night.

It …

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Pats tame Lions in league opener

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Pilgrim’s bye in Week 1 didn’t seem to throw off its game in the slightest, as the Pats used an all-around effort to down Lincoln, 22-12, in their season and home opener on Friday night.

It was a quality win for the Pats to open their 2015 campaign after the Lions edged them out by one game for the fourth and final playoff spot in Division III a season ago.

“It’s a huge win for us,” Pilgrim coach Bill King said. “We talked about it with our kids all week that this was the game that kept us out of the playoffs last year. It’s tough having such a big game early on in the year because you don’t know how ready you are, but our kids really responded today. Our offense and defense made all of the big plays in the fourth quarter to seal the win.”

The players got the message from the coaches throughout the week and knew that they had to come out and prove that they’re going to be a legitimate contender this season.

“For us, that was our first playoff game,” senior captain Darren Grant said. “Our defense was lights out and our offense came through on every drive.”

After a scoreless first quarter, Pilgrim was able to strike just 26 seconds into the second quarter on a 23-yard scamper into the end zone by running back Owen Kelly. Quarterback David McMullen then converted the 2-point conversion on a keeper to give the Pats an 8-0 lead.

Lincoln would respond with a touchdown of its own with 2:32 left in the first half, though.

Following a punt return from Mason Pineda to Pilgrim’s 42-yard line, Lincoln took advantage of the short field, ultimately punching it into the end zone on a 2-yard run by quarterback Brinton Dekreon. However, Pilgrim’s defense would bring Pineda down in the backfield on Lincoln’s 2-point conversion attempt to make it an 8-6 game.

Pilgrim received the ball to start the second half, and it took just minutes for the Pats to increase their lead.

After getting a 50-yard touchdown run from Kelly called back due to a holding penalty, Pilgrim’s offense kept the ball moving down the field.

The surgical drive resulted in a 3-yard plunge into the end zone from Grant to give Pilgrim a 14-6 lead following a failed 2-point conversion attempt.

Grant did a little bit of everything for Pilgrim in the win, scoring the rushing touchdown, intercepting Dekreon in the second half at linebacker and catching three passes for 51 yards at tight end.

“The offense just gave me the opportunity to catch balls, and on defense I was just in the right place at the right time,” Grant said.

“He’s definitely the leader on our team,” King said of Grant. “He’s our defensive quarterback and makes all of the tackles, plays safety, linebacker. On offense, he makes big catches for us and he’s our best blocking tight end. He’s mister do-it-everything, and he had a great game today.”

The Lions would cut into their deficit with nine minutes to play in the fourth quarter on a 13-yard run by Cameron Hill. But, once again, Pilgrim’s defense stopped Lincoln on a 2-point try to allow the Pats to keep the lead, 14-12.

Pilgrim would come right back and put the game away, though.

With 2:30 remaining, McMullen put an end to a long drive with a 3-yard touchdown run. He would then hit receiver Tyrone Weeks in the right corner of the end zone for the 2-point conversion to up Pilgrim’s lead to 22-12.

Lincoln got the ball back looking to respond, but that thought was quickly erased when Devon Maxwell intercepted Dekreon with a minute left.

In addition to Grant’s standout performance, Kelly rushed 24 times for 183 yards and a touchdown, while McMullen completed seven passes for 111 yards, while also rushing for 72 yards and a touchdown.

“I know it’s sad, but we’ve come to expect this from Owen, rushing over 100 yards with one or two touchdowns,” King said. “He’s probably the best back in our division, and who knows, he could be one of the best backs in the whole state.”

Pilgrim will have a bit of a tougher test this Friday at 7 p.m. when it hosts 2-0 Classical.

The Purple currently sit atop the standings alongside East Greenwich after scoring 71 points and allowing just 20 over their first two games.

“We know we have a real tough game against Classical next week,” King said. “They’re going to be one of the best teams in our division this year. But this win gives us some momentum that we didn’t have last year.”

“I think we’re going to be a team to look out for,” Grant said. “We’re going to be a great team this year.”

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