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Lehman routs Springfield Catholic 42-6

Friday, 07 November 2008

By Tim Langevin

Sports Writer

CLAYTON — Defeat Lehman once, defeat Lehman twice, defeat Lehman thrice? Not!

The Lehman Cavaliers, led by a group of hungry seniors who wanted to finish what they started three years ago, pounded the Fighting Irish of Springfield Catholic 42-6 Friday night in the Division VI Regional semifinals at Good Samaritan Stadium.

And once again, it was Max Cartwright, Zac Schmitz, and Kaleb Goins running roughshod behind a determined offensive line to the tune of 395 yards.

Cartwright scampered for 115 yards with one TD, Goins rambled for 124 yards and two TDs, and Schmitz jetted for 126 yards and three TDs.

Lehman coach Dick Roll told his players before the game, “This team has ended our season twice. What are we going to do about it?”

What the Cavaliers did about it was dominate all phases of the game. The Cavs scored on each of their first five possessions and the defense didn’t allow the Irish a first down until 5:23 left in the half. The score could have been worse if it weren’t for two Lehman touchdowns called back due to penalties.

Quarterback Kameron Barton connected on a 52-yard TD pass to Cartwright in the first quarter and Goins’ brilliant 76-yard run was called back in the third quarter.

The Cavs’ first touchdown of the game was the result of a two-play, 80-yard drive, capped by Schmitz’s 75-yard sweep around the right sideline. That “Jet Sweep” has been kind to Schmitz all season.

Schmitz explained, “The line does a great job. We run the ball up the middle, up the middle, then I pop around end.”

The Cavs’ second score of the quarter covered 56 yards in eight plays, alternating potent doses of Cartwright for 31 yards and Goins for 12 yards. Lehman led 14-0.

The Cavaliers’ most impressive drive of the game covered 72 yards in 13 plays, capped by Schmitz’s two yard run to take a tidy 21-0 lead with 9:12 left until half. This time it was a triple dose of Cartwright with 21 yards, Goins with 41 yards, and Schmitz with 15 yards.

After a four and out for SCC, Lehman went to the air on their next possession. Barton completed 1-of-2 passes for 20 yards and then Cartwright scored from 35 yards out to give the mighty Cavs a 28-0 advantage with 6:16 left in the half.

“This was sweet,” Cartwright said. “The last two seasons they (SCC) ended our season.”

“We kept working to get over the hump. Now it is a one game season from hear on out.”

If the Irish weren’t confused enough, coach Roll started Schmitz at quarterback to start the third quarter. The 5-9 senior confused the SCC defense with fake handoffs to Goins and then sprinted to the edge for huge gains, including a 12-yard TD run to seal the deal 42-0 near the end of the third period.

Coach Roll was pleased, “The kids played hard, fast, ran and tackled. We came out hitting. The defense ran wild and did a fine job containing Kelly (QB Brian). We are a physical team.”

He added, “Playing Schmitz at quarterback a few plays allows him to run in space where he is dangerous.”

The Cavaliers have rattled off 10 straight victories to improve to 10-1 on the season, but more important Lehman advances to the regional finals for a second straight season and will face 12-0 Mechanicsburg, a 40-14 winner over Covington.

The game will be played at Northmont’s Good Samaritan Stadium again Friday at 7:30.