Lee Football Posts Third Straight Shutout Win

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires.com Sports
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LEE, Mass. -- Lee High senior Michael Hurley ran for 90 yards and a touchdown and caught three passes for 54 yards and two scores on Friday night.
 
But he did not count any of that the highlight of the Wildcats’ 40-0 win over Drury on John J. Consolati Field.
 
“I would say zero points,” he said when asked to choose whether the 40 or the 0 was a bigger deal. “That’s our third shutout in a row. Lee football, for a while, has been known for hard hitting and playing defense.
 
“I like the zero more.”
 
The Wildcats (3-2) built their lead with big plays in the first half.
 
On the opening drive of the game, Lee converted a fourth-and-6 at midfield with a 42-yard completion from Homer Winston to Andrew Ruef.
 
The next time the ‘Cats touched the ball, they needed just two plays before Hurley galloped 61 yards on a sweep to the right side on which he broke at least four tackles.
 
In the second quarter, Ruef went 39 yards for a score, and Winston hit Hurley for a 39-yard score on the final play of the half.
 
“Michael is a guy we’ve been making a concerted effort to get the football to,” Lee coach Keith Thomson said. “He was an all-league receiver last year. We’re trying to find all kinds of ways to get the football in his hands.
 
“Homer Winston, a sophomore, he just continues to get better every week. He really has the drive to be a great football player. We sit in film, and he takes all the corrections to heart and works on it.”
 
Drury’s film sessions this week doubtless will include an emphasis on finishing tackles.
 
Blue Devils coach Seth Shepard was at a loss to explain some of Lee’s offense, in particular Hurley’s first quarter game-breaker.
 
“It was execution,” Shepard said. “When you have outside linebackers and D-ends not handle their responsibilities, you’re going to be in a lot of trouble against a team like this that is going to put a lot of pressure on you.
 
“The form tackling was not good tonight, which, honestly, was a surprise to me. I thought we’ve been tackling pretty good the last couple of games. We were flying around, making plays. Tonight, we let touchdowns go that were probably 3- and 4-yard gains.”
 
Ruef finished with 145 yards on the ground. Winston threw for 102 yards.
 
After going to the locker room up, 26-0, Lee took its time scoring after the break.
 
Its only possession of the third quarter took 6 minutes 25 seconds off the clock and went 59 yards, ending in a 1-yard pass to Finnegan on third-and-goal.
 
The Wildcats went 51 yards for a final score in the fourth quarter. Winston scored from 2 yards out, and Ruef ran in the two-pointer to provide the final margin.
 
Lee hosts Ware next Friday. Drury (1-4) goes to McCann Tech next Saturday.
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