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QUINCY — The thrill is gone. Despite the Georgetown girls soccer team’s 1-0 loss to Millis in the Division 3 state semifinal last evening at Quincy’s Veterans Memorial Stadium, there is reason for optimism.

MELROSE — The Central Catholic bench players stood up withsmiles covering all their faces and paraded over to the right side of the benchto watch match point, eagerly waiting to charge the court and celebrate theirreturn to the state title game.

ANDOVER — At points in his career, Andover’s Jimmy Johnson has played everywhere from defensive line to defensive back. But on Friday, defensive coordinator Derrik Beasley had another plan.

SALEM -- Even fullback Darren Brown admitted he was a touch surprised by his team’s aerial attack yesterday.

“We’ve had trouble with different things in the passing game all season,” said the senior. “But it sure worked today.”

WEST NEWBURY — Something had to give.

Throughout the first half yesterday, Pentucket and North Andover were throwing waves of defense at each other. Packing in the area between the tackles, the two run-oriented teams struggled to gain 144 combined yards in the opening 22 minutes. Only a fumble recovered by North Andover's Dylan Lurvey at the Sachem 20-yard line could set up the lone score of the half.

WEST NEWBURY — Something had to give.

Throughout the first half yesterday, Pentucket and North Andover were throwing waves of defense at each other. Packing in the area between the tackles, the two run-oriented teams struggled to gain 144 combined yards in the opening 22 minutes. Only a fumble recovered by North Andover's Dylan Lurvey at the Sachem 20-yard line could set up the lone score of the half.

SALEM — The moment Salem’s Jerrickson Federick entered the end zone with 2:01 left to play in the game, the running back simply could not contain his excitement any longer.

“I gave a high-5 to a few kids on the sidelines I felt so good,” said the sophomore. “I don’t know how I would have reacted if we had lost, but we are back on top, just like we wanted to be.”

 METHUEN — John McCarthy couldn’t have picked a better game to be “Johnny on the Spot.”

The Methuen senior and co-captain, who is usually known primarily for his tackling, scored three touchdowns in different ways last night to spark the Rangers (8-2) to a 43-29 victory over never-let-die Lawrence.

LAWRENCE – Maybe it was all the emotion wrapped up in last week’s grudge match with Methuen.

Maybe it was just too much Nick LaSpada.