Lowell Downs Adams, 20-6

"If we lose this game," smiled Adams House Athletic Secretary Fran Saba prior to yesterday's football clash with Lowell, "we're in real trouble."

Oops.

The intramural season opened with a mild upset yesterday as Lowell House ripped through Saba's injury-riddled squad 20-6, and cast into doubt the hopeful aspirations of the Adams gridders.

In open defiance of historical records, Saba had confidently predicted a football championship for the traditionally "non-athletically oriented" Adams, and had even placed an under-the-table bet with Leverett Athletic Secretary Steve Manion.

Undaunted, Lowell's Ray Stich piloted a surprising single-wing attack through the line. Greg Williamson scored two touchdowns for the winners.

"Coming out of the backfield like that," commented Stich. "the backs can really help on the blocking, and I think that was a big factor in the game."

Playing with the type of reckless abandon generally associated with desperate seniors attempting to earn a 4-F deferment, the Lowell line effectively shut out the Adams rushing game and then pinched off the aerial attack.

Six other houses initiate football schedules today, with afternoon clashes pitting Leverett against Winthrop, Dunster against Kirkland, and Mather against Quincy.

Both Saba and Stich rated Leverett and Eliot Houses as the primary threats to depose defending champion Kirkland in the competition.