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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.”

LYNN — On a night Joe Pizzuto added his name to a very elite group of running backs, Greater Lawrence was knocked out of the Commonwealth Conference Large title hunt.

Despite receiving 274 rushing yards from Pizzuto, the Reggies were unable to overcome several big plays by Lynn, which took a 28-18 victory last night. Pizzuto, who had 47 carriers, became the third area player to rush for 2,000 yards in a season, finishing the game with 2,011, since the Eagle-Tribune began compiling complete records in 1994. The diminutive Pizzuto, however remains far from the school record of 2,647 set by Nate Adames in 2007. Londonderry's Alex Theodhosi ran for 2,041 in 2007.

EXETER N.H. — Phillips Andover had no answer for Phillips Exeter running back Alex Scyocurka plain and simple.

The post-grad for Exeter rushed for an incredible 367 rushing yards while scoring twice as the Big Red of Phillips exeter beat the Phillips Andover Big Blue in the 129th meeting between the two storied schools.

HAVERHILL — On a day more suited for three yards and a clump of mud, Whittier decided to air things out. And thanks to an opportunistic defense, the Wildcats didn't have to throw deep.

Dillon Ryan found favorite target Steve Surette for three touchdowns as Whittier remained atop the Commonwealth Conference Large standings with an easy 30-0 victory over Greater Lowell yesterday afternoon. In posting their first shutout of the season, the Wildcats (10-0 overall, 4-0 conference) won for the 21st time in 22 outings and clinched at least a tie for the conference title.

 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.

DRACUT — Playing with only three down lineman and six defensive backs for the entire game, Haverhill was hoping to shut down the explosive passing offense of Dracut and more specifically quarterback Matt Silva. And although a quick first score put the Hillies up 8-0, Dracut then stepped on the gas and poured on touchdown after touchdown in a 48-21 win over Haverhill.

PELHAM N.H. — Three-peat no more.

The two-time defending Div. V State Champion Pelham Pythons fell in the state semi-finals 32-18 to the Bishop Brady Giants. The dream of winning its third state championships in a row was erased by the Giants who used a nightmare of a first half for Pelham to its own advantage, capitolizing on almost all of Pelhams turnovers and turning them into points.

ANDOVER — With its epic matchup with archrival Phillips Exeter on the horizon, Phillips Academy warmed up in a big way yesterday.

Behind another stellar game by back Clay Cleveland, and Andover's Mike Bernieri turning in huge plays on defense, the Big Blue cruised to a 47-12 win over Worcester Academy.

DERRY N.H. — This is not the way Pinkerton Academy wanted to go into the playoffs.

For the third time in four weeks, the Astros were unable to score more than two touchdowns as Nashua North dominated the second half and ran away with a 23-14 victory in the final game of the regular season. Pinkerton (5-5 overall, 5-3 Division I) will travel to top-seeded Salem in the semifinals next week. Nashua North (8-1, 7-1) qualified for the postseason for the first time in the school's six-year history and will play host to Manchester Central in the other semifinal.

MANCHESTER — Whittier coach Kevin Bradley’s plan against Manchester Essex was simple.

Hold onto the ball.

“We wanted to keep the ball out of their hands,” Bradley said. “Everybody likes to talk about our passing game but we can run it too, I have a lot of confidence in the run game and it worked well today. We played smashmouth football on both sides of the ball.”