NORTH ANDOVER — Having suffered two straight Thanksgiving Day defeats, Andover entered Thursday with a clear objective.
“This game meant everything,” said quad-captain Kelvin Davila. “We were embarrassed last year. I had never won on Thanksgiving In my last high school game. So to win it like this feels so amazing.”
Andover rode a dominant rushing attack to touchdowns on its first six possessions of the game, and rolled to a decisive 41-8 Turkey Day victory over North Andover at Walsh Stadium.
The Golden Warriors (8-4) not only snapped a two-game holiday losing streak, but took a 3-2 advantage over North Andover (6-5) in the young Thanksgiving rivalry.
“We wanted this one bad,” said quad-captain Michael Slayton. “We haven’t had much luck against North Andover recently. We look forward to this game all year. This is what we prepared for, and since we lost in the North semifinals, this is the game we were focused on. We knew we could come here and dominate.”
Facing driving rain, heavy winds and cool conditions, Andover kept the ball on the ground, with terrific results. The Warriors piled up 303 rushing yards, just off their season-high, led by a career-best 131 yards by freshman QB Scott Brown and three TDs for Josh “Bibi” Ramos.
“We ran a lot of outside zone reads and used a lot of motion,” said Brown, who scored two touchdowns. “They were biting on Bibi, so I was able to keep it up the middle and pick up yards. There were no nerves. I was ready.”
Andover wasted no time flexing its muscle.
North Andover fumbled on the game’s first play, which was recovered by Aneudy Moreno. Four plays later, Ramos plowed in for a 5-yard touchdown.
The Golden Warriors then forced a punt — which was blocked by linebacker Shamus Florio — and five plays into that drive Ramos sprinted in for a 16-yard score.
After another 3-and-out, and other Ramos TD run, the Golden Warriors erased any thought of a comeback thanks to a pair of turnovers.
First, freshman Lincoln Beal intercepted a pass, setting up a Brown 17-yard TD. Then, on the following kickoff, kicker Florio punched the ball out of the return man’s hands, and the fumble was recovered by Victor Harrington. Brown then added another TD.
“This game was amazing,” said Ramos. “We knew what we could do. We don’t underestimate anyone, but we felt like we could dominate. The fact that Scotty can run so well really opens it up. So defenses don’t know what to expect.”
North Andover avoided the shutout when, just before halftime, QB Will Schimoeller found Matt Chicko for a 44-yard touchdown pass. But Andover responded with a Beal 41-yard TD run to start the second half.
While the Andover offense was rolling, the defense also excelled, allowing just 153 yards of total offense, and only 29 after halftime.
“We knew the defense would make big stops,” said Davila. “We sent a lot of blitzes, and that confused them. They had some fumbles, and that was key.”
Florio (12 tackles), Slayton (8 tackles) and Moreno (7 tackles) led the defense. Jonathan Davila added his team-high fourth interception of the fall, and Seth Jablonski delivered the hit of the game, absolutely demolishing a receiver over the middle to force an complete pass.
“We knew we were a better team than we were the last few years,” said Slayton. “Our effort on defense was outstanding. We have a talented defense, and so much heart.”
The win completes quite a turnaround for Andover, which won 6 of its last 7.
“I feel like it started in the first Methuen game (a 28-0 win) and we just kept getting better from there,” said coach E.J. Perry. “We even had a great battle with St. John’s in the playoff loss. Then, to come back and beat Everett, and beat a very good North Andover team, this team was on a mission, and they accomplished it.”
Defense leads turnaround
After opening the fall 2-3, Andover football surged to a 6-1 record the rest of the way, with its lone loss to Division 1 North champion St. John’s Prep in the North semifinals.
A major reason for that turnaround was the Golden Warriors’ defense.
In its last seven games, Andover has allowed just 13.7 points per game. That’s quite an improvement from the 28.4 it surrendered in the first five weeks.
The Warriors held five teams under 100 yards passing during that seven-game run, and allowed just two 100-yard rushers.
Andover gave up just 68 yards passing and 87 yards rushing on Thanksgiving.
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Football, 11/28/19 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars
NORTH ANDOVER — Having suffered two straight Thanksgiving Day defeats, Andover entered Thursday with a clear objective.
“This game meant everything,” said quad-captain Kelvin Davila. “We were embarrassed last year. I had never won on Thanksgiving. So to win it like this feels so amazing.”
Andover rode a dominant rushing attack to touchdowns on its first six possessions of the game, and rolled to a decisive 41-8 Turkey Day victory over North Andover at Walsh Stadium.
The Golden Warriors (8-4) not only snapped a two-game holiday losing streak, but took a 3-2 advantage over North Andover (6-5) in the young Thanksgiving rivalry.
“We wanted this one bad,” said quad-captain Michael Slayton. “We haven’t had much luck against North Andover recently. We look forward to this game all year. This is what we prepared for, and since we lost in the (North) tourney, this is the game we were focused on. We knew we could come here and dominate.”
Facing driving rain, heavy winds and cool conditions, Andover kept the ball on the ground, with stellar results. The Warriors piled up 303 rushing yards, just off their season-high, led by a career-best 131 yards by freshman QB Scott Brown and three TDs for Josh “Bibi” Ramos.
“We ran a lot of outside zone reads and used a lot of motion,” said Brown, who scored two touchdowns. “They were biting on Bibi, so I was able to keep it up the middle and pick up yards. There were no nerves. I was ready.”
Andover wasted no time flexing its muscle.
North Andover fumbled on the game’s first play, which was recovered by Aneudy Moreno. Four plays later, Ramos plowed in for a 5-yard touchdown.
The Golden Warriors then forced a punt — which was blocked by linebacker Shamus Florio — and five plays into that drive Ramos sprinted in for a 16-yard score.
After another 3-and-out, and other Ramos TD run, the Golden Warriors erased any thought of a comeback thanks to a pair of turnovers.
First, freshman Lincoln Beal intercepted a pass, setting up a Brown 17-yard TD. Then, on the following kickoff, kicker Florio punched the ball out of the return man’s hands, and the fumble was recovered by Victor Harrington. Brown then added another TD.
“This game was amazing,” said Ramos, who had 86 rushing yards. “We knew what we could do. We don’t underestimate anyone, but we felt like we could dominate. The fact that Scotty can run so well really opens it up. So defenses don’t know what to expect.”
Defending Division 2 state champ North Andover, which lost in this year's North final to Lincoln-Sudbury, avoided the shutout when, just before halftime, QB Will Schimmoeller found Matt Chicko for a 44-yard touchdown pass. But Andover responded with a Beal 41-yard TD run to start the second half.
While the Andover offense was rolling, the defense also excelled, allowing just 153 yards of total offense, and only 29 after halftime.
“We knew the defense would make big stops,” said Davila. “We sent a lot of blitzes, and that confused them. They had some fumbles, and that was key.”
Florio (12 tackles), Slayton (8 tackles) and Moreno (7 tackles) led the defense. Jonathan Davila added an interception, and Seth Jablonski delivered the hit of the game, absolutely demolishing a receiver over the middle to force an incomplete pass.
“We knew we were a better team than we were the last few years,” said Slayton. “Our effort on defense was outstanding. We have a talented defense, and so much heart.”
The win completes quite a turnaround for Andover, which won 6 of its last 7.
“I feel like it started in the first Methuen game (a 28-0 win) and we just kept getting better from there,” said coach E.J. Perry. “We even had a great battle with St. John’s in the playoff loss. Then, to come back and beat Everett, and beat a very good North Andover team, this team was on a mission, and they accomplished it.”
Defense leads Andover’s turnaround
After opening the fall 2-3, Andover went 6-1 the rest of the way, with its lone loss to St. John’s Prep in the Division 1 North semifinals.
A major reason for that turnaround was the defense.
In its last seven games, Andover has allowed just 13.7 points per game. That’s quite an improvement from the 28.4 it surrendered in the first five weeks.
The Warriors held five teams under 100 yards passing during that seven-game run, and allowed just two 100-yard rushers.
Andover gave up just 68 yards passing and 87 yards rushing on Thanksgiving.
...
TWITTER: @DWillisET
Andover 41, North Andover 8
Andover (8-4): 13 21 7 0 — 41
North Andover (6-5): 0 8 0 0 — 8
First Quarter
A — Bibi Ramos 5 run (Shamus Florio kick) 10:22
A — Ramos 16 run (kick failed), 2:55
Second Quarter
A — Ramos 2 run (kick blocked), 11:24
A — Scott Brown 17 run (Florio rush), 4:22
A — Brown 4 run (Florio kick), 0:28
NA — Matt Chicko 44 pass from Will Schimmoeller (Freddy Gabin rush), 0:12
Third Quarter
A — Lincoln Beal 41 run (Florio kick), 7:22
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
RUSHING: Andover (39-303) — Scott Brown 17-131, Josh Ramos 16-86, Lincoln Beal 3-77, Michael Slayton 2-4, Seth Jablonski 1-5; North Andover (19-87) — Freddy Gabin 12-56, Matt Chicko 1-9, Will Schimmoeller 4-1, Ricky Brutus 2-21
PASSING: Andover — Brown 5-6-0, 45 yards; North Andover — Schimmoeller 5-7-1, 63 yards; Peter Radulski 1-5-1, 3 yard
RECEIVING: Andover — Jackson McCarthy 4-34, Beal 1-11; North Andover — Chicko 3-46, Sebastian Vente 1-12, Brutus 1-4, Gabin 1-4
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Football, 11/28/19 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars
READING — As he led his team in a raucous celebration befitting of a thrilling tournament upset, North Andover star Freddy Gabin delivered a message to the doubters.
“I know people were jumping ship when we started the season 1-3,” said Gabin. “This year was a new challenge, but here we are. We’re back in the North championship game, and it feels so sweet.”
Gabin broke off two long touchdown runs to give his team the lead, Ricky Brutus added a long score and led a defense that forced four turnovers, and No. 4 seed North Andover shocked top-seeded Reading 21-18 in the Division 2 North semifinals on Friday night.
“This is crazy!’ said defensive back Jadynn Mencia, who had an interception and recovered a fumble, both in the red zone. “It’s crazy to be going back to the North finals. No one expected us to be here. Everyone slept on us. We want another championship ring.”
Defending Division 2 state champ Scarlet Knights (6-3) advances to face No. 2 Lincoln-Sudbury (7-2) in the Division 2 North championship game for the third straight season. The Knights won last fall, while the Warriors won two years ago.
A victory would earn North Andover a return trip to the Division 2 state championship game at Gillette Stadium.
“I’m so proud to be here,” said Brutus, who transferred from Methuen in the offseason. “This is the furthest I have ever gone in the playoffs, and this team is just incredible.”
Reading (7-2) opened the game with a bang, as freshman QB James Murphy threw a 36-yard touchdown on the Rockets’ second play from scrimmage.
But on North Andover’s first play on the ensuing drive, Gabin broke free for a 68-yard touchdown run.
Then, after the two teams exchanged punts, Gabin struck again, this time slipping a tackle and going 46 yards to make the score 13-6.
“I had been waiting for that first score since Monday,” said Gabin, who finished with a game-high 182 yards on 19 carries. “I knew they would be keying on me, and that’s fine with me. On the second one, I took the pitch, saw the hole right away and I was gone. Hearing everyone calling my name was so great.”
Reading responded by driving to the North Andover 3-yard line just before halftime. But Brutus punched the ball free and Mencia jumped on it for the turnover.
“The runner was about to cross the goal line and Ricky stripped it,” said Mencia. “I knew I had to jump on it. It was huge.”
The Rockets drove inside the North Andover red zone on their first drive of the second half. But Max Wolfgang pressured the QB into a bad throw that Jake Wolinski picked it off.
Reading was able to score a drive later, but went for the 2-point conversion to take the lead, and again Wolinski was there to intercept the pass.
Brutus then delivered another big play, breaking a 65-yard touchdown run on his second carry of the game.
“I actually ran the wrong way,” he said with a laugh. “That’s not the way the play was supposed to go. But it worked out.”
Reading had two more shots, and North Andover squashed both chances. First, Mencia intercepted a pass, then on a desperation throw, Brutus tipped the ball into the air and Jack Carbone pulled down the pick.
“Our defense really stepped up,” said Gabin. “We had a few minor mistakes early, but we came through and shut then down.”
The Scarlet Knights now hope to repeat last year’s North Final success against Lincoln-Sudbury, this time as the away team.
“We have wanted L-S since the summer,” said Gabin. “We wanted the rematch, and we want to beat them again.”
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Football, 11/08/19 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars
READING — As he led his team in a raucous celebration befitting of a thrilling tournament upset, North Andover star Freddy Gabin delivered a message to the doubters.
“I know people were jumping ship when we started the season 1-3,” said Gabin. “This year was a new challenge, but here we are. We’re back in the North championship game, and it feels so sweet.”
Gabin broke off two long touchdown runs to give his team the lead, Ricky Brutus added a long score and led a defense that forced four turnovers, and No. 4 seed North Andover shocked top-seeded Reading 21-18 in the Division 2 North semifinals on Friday night.
“This is crazy!’ said defensive back Jadynn Mencia, who had an interception and recovered a fumble, both in the red zone. “It’s crazy to be going back to the North finals. No one expected us to be here. Everyone slept on us. We want another championship ring.”
Defending Division 2 state champ Scarlet Knights (6-3) advances to face No. 2 Lincoln-Sudbury (7-2) in the Division 2 North championship game for the third straight season. The Knights won last fall, while the Warriors won two years ago.
A victory would earn North Andover a return trip to the Division 2 state championship game at Gillette Stadium.
“I’m so proud to be here,” said Brutus, who transferred from Methuen in the offseason. “This is the furthest I have ever gone in the playoffs, and this team is just incredible.”
Reading (7-2) opened the game with a bang, as freshman QB James Murphy threw a 36-yard touchdown on the Rockets’ second play from scrimmage.
But on North Andover’s first play on the ensuing drive, Gabin broke free for a 68-yard touchdown run.
Then, after the two teams exchanged punts, Gabin struck again, this time slipping a tackle and going 46 yards to make the score 13-6.
“I had been waiting for that first score since Monday,” said Gabin, who finished with a game-high 182 yards on 19 carries. “I knew they would be keying on me, and that’s fine with me. On the second one, I took the pitch, saw the hole right away and I was gone. Hearing everyone calling my name was so great.”
Reading responded by driving to the North Andover 3-yard line just before halftime. But Brutus punched the ball free and Mencia jumped on it for the turnover.
“The runner was about to cross the goal line and Ricky stripped it,” said Mencia. “I knew I had to jump on it. It was huge.”
The Rockets drove inside the North Andover red zone on their first drive of the second half. But Max Wolfgang pressured the QB into a bad throw that Jake Wolinski picked it off.
Reading was able to score a drive later, but went for the 2-point conversion to take the lead, and again Wolinski was there to intercept the pass.
Brutus then delivered another big play, breaking a 65-yard touchdown run on his second carry of the game.
“I actually ran the wrong way,” he said with a laugh. “That’s not the way the play was supposed to go. But it worked out.”
Reading had two more shots, and North Andover squashed both chances. First, Mencia intercepted a pass, then on a desperation throw, Brutus tipped the ball into the air and Jack Carbone pulled down the pick.
“Our defense really stepped up,” said Gabin. “We had a few minor mistakes early, but we came through and shut then down.”
The Scarlet Knights now hope to repeat last year’s North Final success against Lincoln-Sudbury, this time as the away team.
“We have wanted L-S since the summer,” said Gabin. “We wanted the rematch, and we want to beat them again.”
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Football, 11/08/19 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars
NORTH ANDOVER — With the playoffs starting next week, the North Andover football team appears to be peaking at just the right time.
The
proof was on the field Friday afternoon as the Knights (4-3), sparked
by the surprisingly quick return to action of junior quarterback Will
Schimmoeller from a knee injury, smacked a decent Billerica squad 35-0
for their third straight victory.
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Football, 10/25/19 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars
NORTH ANDOVER - He's only started two games under center, but North
Andover senior Peter Radulski already has the look of a seasoned vet.
In
his second start filling in for injured started Will Schimmoeller, who
is expected to be out a couple more weeks with a knee injury, Radulski
picked up right where he left off after last week's win over Chelmsford.
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Football, 10/18/19 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars
CHELMSFORD — When he finally got his chance, North Andover senior Peter Radulski seized the moment.
Starting at varsity quarterback for the first time in his career in the absence of junior starter Will Schoemmoeller (out 3-4 weeks with a knee injury), Radulski threw a perfect spiral to Matt Chicko for a 45-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the fourth quarter to help key a dramatic 22-20 victory over Chelmsford.
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Football, 10/11/19 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars
TEWKSBURY - North Andover was in position to change the game.
Trailing
by just one touchdown, the Scarlet Knights caused a fumble that was
recovered by Freddy Gabin on the final play of the third quarter, giving
the ball to an offense that had been stopped just once all Saturday
afternoon.
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Football, 10/05/19 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars
LOWELL — It will be difficult if not impossible to duplicate what Jake McElroy did as the North Andover quarterback last year when the Knights were the undefeated Division 2 state champions.
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Football, 09/20/19 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars
NORTH ANDOVER - We're only a week into the regular season, and
Marblehead coach Jim Rudloff already has had a carousel at quarterback.
But
with Joshua Robertson - the team's fourth-string QB when training camp
started - under center Friday evening against defending Division 2 state
champ North Andover, the Magicians were able to work some magic.
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Football, 09/13/19 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars
