Munster takes control early to beat Lowell

Updated: October 8, 2011 4:00PM

MUNSTER — Lowell didn’t look like the team still in the hunt for the NCC title Friday at Munster. The Mustangs dominated the Red Devils in every way possible as they rolled to a 27-8 victory.

“This is what we thought we had to start with this year, but we really didn’t get it started this year until last week at Hobart,” said Munster coach Leroy Marsh. “We’ve finally made up our mind to put a run together. I think we’re trying to prove to people that we could still be a good football team this season.”

Munster (4-4, 3-2) put points on the scoreboard on five of its first six possessions, although two of those points were for the Red Devils. A Munster punt snap sailed out of the end zone, accounting for all of Lowell’s two first-half points.

But the Mustangs didn’t make many other mistakes. It took just five plays and 2:32 for Munster to score on a 39-yard halfback option pass from Oliver Sutter to Nick Brajak. The Mustangs then tallied 21 points in the second quarter to put the game out of reach early.

Chimez Okolocha scored on a 2-yard run and quarterback Mark Strbjak hit Ernest Carter with scoring strikes of 28 and 10 yards.

During the first half, Munster held Lowell to just two first downs and 20 yards of offense. Lowell’s six passing attempts in the half resulted in three sacks, one interception, and negative yardage. The Mustangs also forced three fumbles, recovering two of them, and committed no penalties.

“Our defense has actually played pretty well all season long,” Marsh said. “Our offense hasn’t been getting it done, but I thought our quarterback played his best game of the season tonight.”

Lowell (5-3, 4-1) controlled the ball for all but three plays of the first 14 minutes of the second half, but only managed six points for their efforts. After getting as deep as Munster 3-yard line on their first drive, the Red Devils finally broke through with a 5-yard scoring run from Austin Magley.

“Munster controlled the ball, controlled the clock, and we just made mistakes,” said Lowell coach Keith Kilmer.

“Our goals for the second half were different and we challenged the kid, and we did play a little better, but give Munster all the credit.”

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