Lowell defense holds Hammond to 50 yards in rout

BY RYAN METZ

Times Correspondent

LOWELL | Following Lowell coach Kirk Kennedy's postgame talk, the Times No. 1 Red Devils put their helmets together and were led by fiery quarterback Ray Skamay, who broke down on what's ahead for his cohorts: a Northwest Crossroads Conference title and another long run into the playoffs.

With Lowell riding a 21-game regular-season winning streak, the Devils are looking to set aside a spot for some more hardware to fill the already copious amount of trophies in the case.

"From here on out there is no more easy football," senior quarterback Ray Skamay said. "We always want to win conference and undefeated seasons are great but we know the most important time of the year is coming."

The Devils (7-0, 4-0) weren't looking too far ahead as the backfield of fullback Nathan Cleveland and running back Brandon Grubbe combined for six first-half touchdowns and beat Hammond 63-0 on homecoming.

Kennedy was pleased his team stayed focus to the tune of pounding out 349 yards on the ground and never attempting a punt.

"With our output tonight, I think it was very obvious we were focused on this game," Kennedy said. "Every week the true opponent is ourselves."

Next week the Devils can move one step closer to securing a conference title as they square off against a more formidable Munster.

"We haven't reached our full potential," Cleveland said, after bulldozing his way to 79 yards and three touchdowns. "Ultimately our goal is state, and we can do it because we have room to grow and that's a good thing."

Offensive cornerstone Grubbe finished the night adding five touchdowns and 180 yards rushing to his already illustrious resume.

Hammond (4-3, 0-1) played without quarterback Antwion McGee Jr. in the first half due to a suspension and was held to 50 yards of total offense.

"We got ourselves down early and it just got out of hand," Hammond coach Robert Robinson Jr. said.

Published in the Northwest Indiana Times on Oct. 3, 2009.