RallyNorth.net

NORTH ANDOVER — For a guy who began the season hauling in passes, James Foote has evolved into a pretty decent running back.

The first three weeks, I was a wide receiver," said Foote, who had more than 10 carries in only one game prior to last night's Division 2 North quarterfinals. "Then (Breyin) Nichols was out with a hamstring injury. We were thin at the position ... and we just decided to give (running back) a shot."

With Foote now established and Nichols back in the rotation, second-seeded North Andover hit the playoffs running last night, pasting seventh-seeded Waltham 26-0. Not only was it the Scarlet Knights' third consecutive shutout, it also marked a milestone that proved a mild surprise to the guy involved.

"Without a doubt, that's a good way to begin (the playoffs)," said North Andover coach John Rafferty, in his 14th year leading the program. "That's our first postseason win ... quite frankly, that is our first postseason win since we've been here. I hadn't realized that."

True to late-season form, the Scarlet Knights (6-2) controlled both lines of scrimmage, finishing with 275 yards on the ground, while holding the Hawks (3-5) to only 85. In NA's first five games this year, it averaged 150.8 yards rushing. Since Nichols and Foote began sharing the load, the output has increased to 294.3 yards per game.

Last night, Nichols scored the game's first two touchdowns, including a 3-yarder with 3 seconds left in the first half and capped an 81-yard drive and had a game-high 124 yards. Foote had 113 yards on 21 carries and an 8-yard scoring run that provided a 20-0 lead with 4:31 left in the third. Quarterback Seamus Lambert added the final score, capping a 98-yard drive in which Foote ran on 10 of the 15 plays.

"We've got some people back," Rafferty said of the improved ground attack. "And (Nichols and Foote) are seniors and they're captains ... It says a lot about them. You have to run the ball to win football games and defend the run. This is high school. It's as simple as that."

Next up for the Knights is playing host to third-seeded Lincoln-Sudbury (a 37-16 victor over Lynn Classical) at 7 p.m. Friday.