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HAVERHILL | It was a frigid night at Haverhill Stadium, with a light snow falling. Unfortunately for the homecoming crowd in attendance, both the snowflakes and the Hillies were finished before the whistle blew on the game's opening half.

The traditional roles, at times, reversed, suddenly pass-happy Central Catholic surrendered chunks of ground yardage to conservative Tewksbury.

But who was complaining? The Raiders held a 21-14 advantage over the Redmen with less than five minutes left. "That last five minutes, things just went wrong ... everything caved in," said stunned Raider coach Chuck Adamopoulos after he watched the lead and, most probably, his team's Merrimack Valley Conference title hopes disintegrate in a depressing 30-27 loss to Tewksbury. The Raider mistakes compounded like a loan-shark's interest rates, by the second, with each sending Central deeper and deeper into the red.

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."

METHUEN | David Koerner was carried off the field to a standing ovation.

Unfortunately for Methuen, it wasn't after an inspiring win, but early in a 34-7 loss to Tewksbury.

The senior was on his way to a career night, making a pair of stellar interceptions on back-to-back Tewksbury drives. The first, a diving grab on a tipped pass by Chris Texiera, looked easy compared to Koerner's spectacular second pick. Texiera fired a pass over the middle under pressure from the backfield, and Koerner soared head and shoulders over the leaping mob of Redmen to make a one-handed snatch in mid-air.