RallyNorth.net

Six days after the New England Patriots failed to make history, the Greater Lawrence wrestling team made a lot of it yesterday at the Division 2 North Sectional at Beverly High School.

The Reggies, who are the defending Division 2 dual-meet champions, overwhelmed the 12-team field to finish first with 278 points, placing seven in the finals, crowned four champions, placed all 14 wrestlers (top six) and advanced 12 to next week's Division 2 state meet at Reading.

Whenever Haverhill girls basketball Kevin Woelfel walks into Mansfield Gym, he looks up at the program's six state championship banners.

"It means a lot to me," he said, "because I know how much hard work the players put in."

DRACUT | Methuen had the lead early in the fourth quarter, but, as they did all game long, critical mistakes cost the Rangers dearly.

With the ball at their own 36 and holding a one-point lead, a snap sailed well over the head of punter Justin Marsan. Marsan ran back and picked it up, but was tackled for a loss of 26 yards. Dracut did not waste the first-and-goal opportunity and Matt Grimard ran for a 13-yard score that iced the game and the season, 18-13.

LOWELL | Brendan Slein tried to downplay the pain.

Make no mistake though, his right knee, deeply bruised and lacerated, was bothering him.

"Not a ton," he said. "But enough."

Enough to possibly keep him out of yesterday's Division 2 North semifinal-matchup against No. 6 Dracut.

The Haverhill Hillies came close again, but fell short at Dracut, 20-14, last night.

The Hillies had a chance to win the game late, but couldn't capitalize as senior quarterback Peter Byron | who otherwise had a fine game | threw an interception with 1:48 left to allow Dracut to hold on.

Mukena Mbiye scored to lift Central Catholic over Dracut 1-0. Mike Zappala, KB Oshodi and Ryan Emery anchored the defense for the Raiders.

DANVERS | Football coaches preach all the time about avoiding turnovers. For the most part, the players listen, but turnovers happen anyway.

Failure to protect the ball led to the third straight loss for St. John's Prep Saturday. The Eagles turned the ball over six times on four interceptions and Dracut recovered two fumbles. All the scoring for the Middies came in the first half, but they were able to stave off a second half rally by the Eagles for their second win of the season, 23-16 at Cronin Memorial Stadium.

LAWRENCE | Central Catholic and Dracut played an instant classic under the lights of Veterans Stadium, but one key penalty early in the game cost the Middies an extra point, which was the difference in the Raiders' 21-20 win.

Edwin Gutierrez made 19 saves as Dracut downed Lawrence 3-0. The loss dropped the Lancers to 1-8.

Three different goal scorers propelled Dracut past Haverhill 4-0. Hillies goaltender Brianna Guerin made seven saves in the defeat as the Haverhill fell to 1-4.