Another year, and once again another close to crosstown rival Lawrence Central. That’s been a pretty common occurrence in the past couple of years as Lawrence North has experienced many close losses to the Bears in various sports including last year in football 26-27, and basketball 43-47. While this game ended close, Lawrence Central’s Daveon Bell did his best to put the game away early. Bell converted 4th and 1 for the Bears from the one yard line early in the 2nd quarter, taking a pitch from quarterback Donyell Meredith to put LC in front. LN didn’t take it easy on themselves with multiple miscues including Martell Williams fumbling the ball inside LN territory just mere moments after Bell found the back of the endzone. Even with Williams’ fumble, the Bears couldn’t execute inside LN territory, trading possessions with the Wildcats for the rest of the half before a last minute field goal attempt went to say, terribly wrong. Terrance Mallory provided what turned out to be one of the lone bright spots for the Wildcats in the 1st half with a last minute interception of Meredith at the edge of the endzone. A dropped pass from Donavin Wright, while wide open in the endzone, gave the Wildcat defense a glimmer of hope. That ended up being quickly refuted when Spencer Youngcourt managed to keep one foot in at the back of the endzone, grabbing Meredith’s 7th touchdown pass of the season, at that point. From that point on, the Al McKeller and Daveon Bell show started, making the final half of the Battle of the Bell, one to remember. McKeller got his second half started quick, breaking a run of 80 yards through the right side of the line, and accelerating past LC defenders for the first Wildcat score of the night. Then began the woes of the Wildcat special teams, a theme consistent with the rest of the night and awfully similar to the previous year’s game. Sam Ellsworth had his PAT attempt blocked, leaving LN with an 8 point deficit. As McKeller was the answer for the Wildcats, the five foot six Bell was the answer for LC. Bell once again took the pass from Meredith, breaking through the faulty LN secondary and found paydirt again. However, as usual, LN once again found success by putting the ball in the hands of McKeller. McKeller, on a pass from senior quarterback Jackson Hamersly, took a pass, cut to the right side and back to the left eventually finding his way into the endzone. Two encroachment penalties later on LC, the Wildcat offense found themselves back on the field going for the two point conversion which ultimately failed after a faulty snap fell through Hamersly’s hands and on to the ground. The ensuing kickoff helped pave the way of faulty special teams play for Lawrence North, when Lawrence Central returned the kick all the way for another touchdown. However, LN was saved by special teams mistakes by LC when a two point conversion was dropped upon two receivers running into each other. Martell Williams, attempting to make up for his earlier fumble, made a one handed catch on a pass from Hamersly and himself found paydirt as well. Once again, LN failed to convert the two point conversion, as Elijah Smith couldn’t break through the line for two points. A defensive stop for LN turned into another golden oppurtunity for McKeller, who found way for his third touchdown of the night. LN was stifled on the final drive of the night and LC took home the Dwaine C. Bell trophy for the 11th straight meeting.

Players of the Game:

1. Al McKeller (RB)
2. Josh Mays (LB)
3. Tyler Majors (DE)