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Scriber's return sweet as Andover bests Lawrence

Thursday, October, 06 By David Willis
Staff writer

LAWRENCE — For three weeks, Freddie Scribner sat injured on the sidelines, dreaming of the chance to make a big play.

When Andover needed it yesterday, Scribner was up to the task.

With the Golden Warriors ahead by just one score late in the third quarter, Scribner took a handoff, broke one tackle, juked another defender and scampered 14 yards for a touchdown.

That was Andover’s first of two touchdowns in just 19 seconds as the Golden Warriors finished off the Lancers 34-12 last night.

“It was terrible being injured,” said Scribner. “It was huge coming back and having a big game. It was great.”

Scribner missed the last three games with a broken foot, which he attempted to play through in the opener against North Andover.

But the senior, playing running back with All-Scholastic Andy Coke at receiver, showed he was healthy with  a 25-yard run on the first play of the day. He finished the game with 91 yards on 13 rushes and the key score. He also added five tackles and knocked down two passes.

“When Andy and Scribner are healthy we are very tough to stop,” said Andover coach E.J. Perry. “They did a great job. We have a lot of weapons.”

After Scribner’s score, Coke added a touchdown just 19 seconds later. Giovani Rosano recovered a fumble on Lawrence’s first play following the touchdown, and one play later quarterback C.J. Scarpa tossed a pass over the top that Coke hauled in for a 19-yard score.

“Those touchdowns were huge,” said lineman Matt Crush, himself back after missing two weeks with a hamstring injury. “When we get the quick touchdown it really puts the other team down, and we can take the momentum.”

Coke caught three passes for a game-high 89 yards, including a 61-yard bomb to set up the first score of the day, and carried 20 times for a game-high 106 yards. The senior also made four tackles and caused and recovered a fumble that set up another touchdown.

Scarpa continued his hot start to his varsity career. He was 9-of-14 throwing for 220 yards and three touchdowns, including a 25-yarder to Will Heikkinen and a 54-yard touchdown to Cam Farnham on the same trick play that they executed to perfection against North Andover.

“We were a little shaky in the first half, but overall it was a very good performance,” said Scribner. “We tried to control the ball as much as possible.”

Brendan Paquette again led the Andover defense with nine tackles, while Crush and Rosano added six each and Greg Calabro picked off a pass.

“The defense played very well,” said Calabro. “We only allowed six points (with the other TD on a fumble recovery) so that is a very good effort.”

Kelvin Severino was a bright spot for the Lancers. He made seven tackles and picked up a fumble and ran it back 11 yards for a touchdown. Mario Encarnacion also made an interception.

“Lawrence is an athletic team,” said Perry. “But we out our best athletes against their best athletes.”

Additional stories:

• VIDEO: Andover football defeats Lawrence