By Chris Paul
Despite getting off to a rather slow start in the season’s home opener against the Windham High School Jaguars, the Londonderry High School football team was able to shutdown the Jags in the second half to remain perfect in their division.
With the Lancers 30-14 victory over Windham on Friday night, Sept. 16, they will now prepare for the annual Mack Plaque game against Pinkerton Academy at Lancer Park this coming Friday night.
In the game against Windham, the Lancers took their opening drive to the WHS 22-yard line, where they were halted and had to settle for a field goal by Senior Kicker Jack Drabik.
The 3-0 lead only lasted four minutes, after Windham was able to advance the ensuing drive to the LHS end zone for a 7-3 lead early in the contest.
Londonderry began their second quarter with another strong drive, which ended with Junior Running Back Jake Schena getting a two-yard run to pay dirt.
The 10-7 Lancer lead lasted until 4:44 of the second quarter, when the Jaguars had a strong drive of their own, ending with a two-yard TD to put the Lancers behind 14-10 after the first half of play.
In the second half, LHS regrouped, and proved why they’re the defending Division I champs.
Lancer Senior Quarterback Drew Heenan led his team to three unanswered touchdowns in the second half for the 16-point victory with the help of Junior Running Back Jake Schena.
Heenan had two rushing touchdowns in the third quarter. One from 16-yards out with four minutes left in the period and one for 15-yards as the clock expired.
Heenan finished the scoring that evening with a pass to Senior Nathan Padrick for a 15-yard pass completion.
Drabik kicked the extra point and the LHS defense secured the first home field win of the season.
Londonderry finished with 299 yards of total offense, most of which was on the ground with 44 rushing attempts.
Heenan and Schena each carried the ball for 94-yards rushing to lead the team with Nathan Rosario getting 32-yards on to carries.
Heenan had five completions for 53-yards in the air.
The Lancers sit at 2-0 in the division and will face Pinkerton Academy (3-0) on Friday night, Sept. 23, in the Mack Plaque game starting at 6 p.m.
The Astros started the season with a slim 28-27 win at Windham, but have since had two wide-margin victories against Goffstown (59-6), at home, and at Alvirne (42-6).