RallyNorth.net

Andover knocks off powerhouse Xaverian

Friday, September, 28 By David Willis
Staff writer

ANDOVER — C.J. Scarpa saw the ball loose near the goal line, and knew what he had to do.

“I saw the ball was alive and I tried to pick it up,” said Scarpa. “I tried to pick it up, but I missed the ball and I tried to keep nudging it forward into the end zone then I tried all I could to get on it.”

After an extra point was blocked, the live ball squirted around the wet and slippery turf, eluding the grasp of numerous players from both teams before Scarpa was finally able to pounce on it in the end zone.

Those two points, just 22 seconds into the game, proved to be the difference as Andover defeated powerhouse Xaverian 15-13 last night.

The Golden Warriors entered the game ranked No. 15 in Eastern Mass., while Xaverian was No. 13.

“To be honest I didn’t see the two-point conversion,” said Cam Farnham, who set the play up with a 72-yard touchdown catch from Scarpa. “I was getting water, and crowd went nuts so I knew something happened.

“We came into the week knowing Xaverian is one of the best teams in the state, playing in the best division in the state. So to beat them, and show a public school and play with a catholic school, is huge.”

Andover set the tone early, scoring both of their touchdowns in the first 5:56 of play. After the Scarpa-to-Farnham strike, Scarpa hit Andrew Deloury for a 16-yard touchdown with 6:06 yo go in the first.

“Even my parents came here thinking Xaverian was going to win,” said linebacker Chas Heseltine with a laugh. “Now, coming out on top, offense and defense stepping up, it was a terrific win. We had them on lock-down.”

Zavrl goes down: It wasn’t all good news for Andover, which lost superstar linebacker and kicker Mark Zavrl to a knee injury when he was tackled awkwardly early in the third quarter. He was helped off the field, and was going to the hospital after the game. While no immediate update was given on his injury, he did express optimism after the game.

Prior to the injury, Zavrl had made eight tackles and an interception.

Flaherty goes crazy: Senior Jake Flaherty was hardly a household name heading into last week, but he sure has become one recently. The linebacker made 16 tackles, covering the entire field, and grabbed a fumble.

“We just blitzed the crap out of them and got pressure in the backfield all night,” he said. “They couldn’t handle it.”

Also starring on defense was Heseltine, who made 10 tackles of his own.

Where was Hurst?: University of Michigan-bound defensive lineman Maurice Hurst Jr. of Xaverian was a non-factor in the contest last night. The son of former New England Patriot Maurice Hurst managed just three tackles in the loss.