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HAVERHILL | Just take what the defense gives you | a simple theory but usually difficult to apply.

When Lowell brought its defensive backs and safety up near the line of scrimmage to take away Haverhill's option running attack, the Hillies had the weapons to respond.

LOWELL | Lowell's gameplan was to put the bull's-eye on Mike Leavitt's back, and the Red Raiders executed it well, holding the Central battering ram to 91 yards on 15 carries. Lowell, though, spent the rest of the night at Cawley Stadium learning the lesson that the Raiders are more than just Mike Leavitt.

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."

METHUEN | "They all hurt," said Methuen coach Pat Graham after last night's 31-30 heartbreaking loss to Lowell, but this one may have hurt just a little more.

The Rangers (2-4) took a commanding 27-0 lead in the first half and, after a 20-yard Giuliano Pizzo field goal, still led 30-21 with just 3:09 left to play in the game.