RallyNorth.net

 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 — The effort and attitude was there. Lawrence just couldn’t back it up with points.

The Lancers stood toe-to-toe with defending Division 2 champion Dracut last night. But as the smoke from a factory fire in the area cleared Veterans Memorial Stadium in the second half, so did the obstacles blocking the Middies in an eventual 21-7 victory.

By Bill O'Connor sports@eagletribune.com

HAVERHILL — Stalwart defense and precise offensive execution allowed Lawrence to keep its postseason dreams alive as the Lancers shut out winless Haverhill 28-0.

The Andover field hockey team put the finishing touches on an impressive 17-0-1 record. But even more impressive than the record is the fact that the Golden Warriors scored 80 while the opposition could only score three past the Andover goal line.  Yesterday, the defense did not allow a shot on net.

LAWRENCE - You get the feeling that when Mike Yameen rekindled this dormant intra city rivalry with Central Catholic five years ago, this kind of night was what he had in mind.

Great crowd of about 2,000, spirited student sections from both sides, vicious, clean hitting between the teams, just the football dream at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

LAWRENCE - You get the feeling that when Mike Yameen rekindled this dormant intra city rivalry with Central Catholic five years ago, this kind of night was what he had in mind.

Great crowd of about 2,000, spirited student sections from both sides, vicious, clean hitting between the teams, just the football dream at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

BILLERICA – As massive a challenge as Nick LaSpada and No. 9 Billerica present, it’s the simple everyday Merrimack Valley Conference grind that has battered Lawrence High recently.

The Lancers, already without leading receiver Michael Calzetta (collarbone), lost game-breaker Francis Nova to what might be a concussion early in the third. Without Nova, any chance the Lancers, trailing 28-12, had of clawing back into it were swept into the Calabrese Stadium mud as the host Indians rolled comfortably 35-20.

Haverhill held off a hard-charging Lawrence squad, surviving for a 4-2 triumph. Beth Strong scored twice and Becca Stabile had a pair of assists for the Hillies, who moved to 5-5 on the season thanks to strong defense from senior Kelsea Archambault and midfielder Liz Henderson.

Late in the second half Jared Lewis broke a scoreless stalemate to power Haverhill past Lawrence, 1-0. Mike Ferragamo made five saves for the shutout and Edgar Escalante and Jose Ossers held Haverhill's offense in check.

Lawrence junior Luis Cruz went neck and neck with Billerica's Kyle White for nearly the entire 2.9 miles but Cruz put on a strong finishing kick to win by one second, 15:47-15:48. Billerica prevailed, 20-43, for its first victory of the season.