RallyNorth.net

HAVERHILL | Methuen senior and tri-captain David Koerner has enjoyed plenty of fine moments in athletics, but they all paled compared to last night.

"This is the best feeling I've had by far, and I play three sports," said Koerner after the Rangers snapped a 33-game Merrimack Valley Conference losing streak, dating back to 2002, with a convincing 28-7 victory over Haverhill before more than 1,000 fans.

New England sports fans place the No. 33 on a pedestal. After all, it was worn by the great Celtic Larry Bird. But that same harmless 33 draws nothing but ire from Methuen High football players, who have come to despise the digits. The "33" now represents the Rangers' tailspin, the number of consecutive losses against Merrimack Valley Conference competition.

METHUEN | Methuen's defense wouldn't break, so Billerica's pass-happy offense had to.

The upset-minded Rangers | they led the powerhouse Indians 3-0 at the half | used patience to create a clutch turnover, take a halftime lead, and force the Indians to change. If Methuen were to snap its 32-game conference losing streak, this would be in storybook fashion.

CONCORD | Playing just minutes from the Old North Bridge and the starting point of the Revolutionary War, the Methuen football team could not get off to the revolutionary start they were hoping to last night at the Rangers fell to Concord Carlisle, 29-7.

David Koerner's ears are ringing with motivational mantra.

The 6-foot-2, 150-pound receiver/defensive back, a tri-captain on the Methuen football team, has been wearing his "work to win" T-shirt with pride. And first-year coach Pat Graham, Koerner said, has been instructing his Rangers to "get an identity."

METHUEN | Justin Marsan stood in the middle of the Methuen football world.

Pop Warner players did jumping jacks. Coaches blew whistles. Parents watched in lawn chairs.

Done for the day, the high school team jogged off, leaving the expansive practice fields to the younger kids. Marsan, a junior running back and punter, hung back.

2006 record: 1-9

Returning starters (12): Matt Dugan, Sr., C, 5-9, 230; Eric Eldred, Sr., G, 5-9, 220; Chris Getchell, Sr., DE/OT, 6-1, 265; Dan Higgins, Sr., WR, 5-9, 150; Ricky Joaquin, Sr., NT, 5-11, 200; David Koerner, Sr., S/WR, 6-2, 150; Matt Naylor, Sr., QB, 5-11, 200; Steve Saba, Sr., G/DE, 6-1, 220; Matt Bartlett, Jr., QB/CB, 5-11, 160; Mike Bartlett, Jr., RB/LB, 5-11, 175; Josue Henriquez, Jr., TE/LB, 6-2, 190; Justin Marsan, Jr., FB/LB, 5-11, 175