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Fredericks' 4 TDs lead Lawrence past Lynbrook

Fredericks' 4 TDs lead Lawrence past Lynbrook

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Photos: Lawrence vs. Lynbrook footballPHOTOS Highlights: Lawrence 36, Lynbrook 0VIDEOS

Ludwing Velasquez is not used to the spotlight. The Lawrence middle linebacker is at the center of the much maligned Golden Tornadoes defense. It’s a unit that lost its top two players to injury and has struggled to find the cohesiveness to stop an opponent, allowing 25 points per game.

“We’ve had to make big changes and work guys in and get them adjusted,” said Lawrence coach Joe Martilotta. “We lost some great players, including Chris Hercules had 36 tackles in the first two games.”

Lawrence (6-1) has continued to win with its quick strike offense, blending the passing of sophomore quarterback Joe Capobianco, and the running duo of brothers Ryan and Tyler Fredericks. That offense was on full display as was a stellar defense as Lawrence stunned Lynbrook, 36-0, yesterday before a capacity crowd of more than 2,000 for homecoming day in Cedarhurst.

"Our defense really put it together,” said Velasquez, who had eight solo tackles. “They moved the ball and it was a physical game but we stopped them and made some big plays.”

Velasquez led a defense that stopped Lynbrook (5-2) in the red zone on three drives, including a third down stop inside the 1 yard line as time expired to end the first half.

“We’ve had some problems scoring in the red zone,” said Lynbrook coach Steve Locicero. “A loss, any loss is not devastating, it’s disappointing. Lawrence is an explosive team and we’ll learn from this experience. I’m very impressed with the way we battled in the second half and we’ll build on that.”

Tyler Fredericks carried 17 times for 160 yards, a touchdown and a two-point conversion reception. Ryan Fredericks added 101 yards of total offense, three touchdowns and a two-point conversion. Capobianco completed 7 of 10 passes for 59 yards, including a 25-yard scoring strike, while engineering four straight touchdown drives in the first half for a 30-0 lead.

Lawrence opened the scoring with an 8-play, 68-yard drive capped by a Ryan Fredericks 7-yard scoring run with 6:50 left in the first quarter for a 6-0 lead. Lynbrook responded with a 12-play, 74-yard drive to the Lawrence five before the march stalled on a fourth down incomplete pass in the end zone.

On the ensuing drive, Tyler Fredericks broke a 62-yard run to ignite an eight-play, 95-yard scoring drive that consumed 4:31. Capobianco fired the two-point conversion pass to Tyler Fredericks on an out pattern for the 14-0 lead.

“I don’t think of Joey as a sophomore QB at all,” Ryan Fredericks said. “I look at him as a senior, as a leader. He is highly motivated and very composed out there. He runs the show.”

Lawrence scored on all four possessions in the first half as the Lynbrook defense had no answer for the Golden Tornadoes balance. Capobianco completed four of five first-half passes for 56 yards and converted two, two-point conversion passes to Tyler Fredericks and Mohamed Islam.

“We have so many playmakers,” Capobianco said. “My job is so easy when the line is following their assignments and doing a great job. My reads become easy and it opens the passing game with the running game.”

The Lynbrook defense did find some success shutting down that vaunted Lawrence offense on the first three possessions of the third quarter, allowing only 11 yards and forcing three punts. But the Owls couldn’t convert on offense. They had three methodical drives of 10 or more plays and never found the end zone.

“We have athletes everywhere,” said Lawrence guard Derek Jacobs. “And the line is playing very well together. It’s tough to beat that.”

Especially with a stingy defensive unit.

  • Highlights: Lawrence 36, Lynbrook 0

    Oct. 22, 2011: Watch highlights from Lawrence's 36-0 football victory over Lynbrook.

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