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LAWRENCE | Andover senior linebacker Tripp Stevens took one last long look at the scoreboard as the power was being turned off and chuckled.

"Unbelievable," he said with a smile from ear to ear. "Our offense is usually in control of the game. But today it was the defense that took control. We did what we had to do."

Don't try to tell Central Catholic coach Chuck Adamopoulos that his Raiders have little to play for.

"It's Andover!" exclaimed the Raider coach. "And, of course, we'd also like a 6-5 finish to the season."

Where: Lawrence Veterans Stadium

Date: Thursday, Nov. 22

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Quarterbacks: Mike Pierce, Andover; Shain Jowett, Central Catholic

Coaches: Ken Maglio, Andover; Chuck Adamopoulos, Central Catholic

ANDOVER | After allowing its opening two drives to fizzle in Andover territory, Valley Forge Military Academy finally seemed poised to grab the lead with the ball on the Golden Warriors' 8-yard line. But Brendan Hughes had other plans.

ANDOVER — By the end of the game, Methuen had to be tired of hearing Chris Abreu's name.

The linebacker sacked Rangers quarterback Matt Bartlett four times to pace Andover in a 41-12 victory last night.

ANDOVER | The curse strikes again.

Andover continued its more-than two-decade-long struggles against Chelmsford, falling to the Lions 42-29 in a crucial Merrimack Valley Conference battle last night at Eugene V. Lovely Field.

LOWELL | The weather made the comparison inevitable.

"Last year we had a rainy game (against Lowell) and ended up losing in overtime," said wide receiver Matt Rayner. "It was a little added inspiration. We weren't going to let it slip away like last year."

The Golden Warriors remain right in the thick of things in the MVC race, needing to run the table against Lowell, Chelmsford, Methuen and Central Catholic to ensure at least a share of the title.

Coach Ken Maglio says:

TEWKSBURY | Yesterday was Andover senior Zack Kutchin's kind of game.

"I couldn't be any happier because I play offensive line and we were able to run the ball down their throats," said the right tackle. "Power offense is the best thing in the world. It felt good on the line to win a game like this for once."

Charles Darwin would've loved studying the quarterback.

At an early age, he is led into the jungle, where he's forced to fight off predators.

If he's weak, he'll fall behind. If he's strong, he'll lead the pack.