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Lowell pounds Hammond
Updated: October 1, 2011 4:28PM
LOWELL — Nick Kijurna is to Lowell football what the utility club is to the avid golfer.
True, the senior has flexibility in his regular roles at tight end and defensive end, but thanks to the circumstances Kijurna also now moonlights as a kicker. And all three of those facets proved to be especially helpful as Lowell disposed of Hammond 33-6 on Friday night.
With hints of modesty, Kijurna spoke of the contributions.
“I just like helping my team out,” he said. “Whenever my number is called, I like helping my team out.”
Well No. 23 was called quite often against the Wildcats. On the Red Devils’ first possession, the squad chewed up 62 yards on the ground before quarterback Bryan Thomas found the end open in the for a 5-yard pass, the first score of the game at 5:12.
Then in his first varsity kicking adventure, Kijurna connected for the PAT. When the game closed out, that kick proved to be the clincher.
Along with Kijurna’s 3-for-5 night with the uprights, the Red Devils’ rushing and defense set up Lowell’s (5-2) fifth straight victory in a sloppy night at the Inferno. There was a combined nine fumbles in the contest, five going Hammond’s way (the Wildcats recovered four times).
“They’re very athletic, they have some speed that we don’t have,” said Lowell coach Keith Kilmer. “(The addition of first year-coach Eric Schreiber)’s cause for concern. This isn’t the Hammond of 2008, 2009, 2010.”
The Wildcats (also 5-2) may be improved, including a four-game win streak to start the year, but they couldn’t solidify an offense.
Both options were quelled as Lowell outran them 240 yards to 51 and only allowed QB Eric Schreiber 83 yards in the air and no passing scores. Hammond’s lone tally came in the second quarter as Michael Peavy capped off a 5 minute, 25 second sequence with an 11-yard run at 6:35.
In the meantime, led by running back George Fields (89 yards, two TDs), Lowell used its classic strategy, rushing. Nick Hamilton also ran in a pair.
“We were in the locker room (at pregame) saying we’ll have to come out strong,” said Fields who’s longest drive was 22 yards up the middle, following Hammond’s score.
Kilmer likes his team’s trend.
“We’re starting to do things better and that’s what you want to do is continue to improve.”
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