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Diminutive Christopher sparks Andover to victory

Friday, September, 11 By David Willis
Staff writer

ANDOVER — Standing just 5-foot-6 and listed at 144 pounds, Anthony Christopher easily blended into the pack of youth football players milling around the field after removing his shoulder pads.

Little did unknowing onlookers know, the diminutive back had just run over the Cambridge Rindge & Latin defense.

"I came into the night so hyped up," said Christopher. "It was my first career start and I just wanted to get into the end zone."

The senior made his first game as No. 1 back count, rushing for 86 yards and two touchdowns and playing lockdown defense at corner, proving the boost that Andover needed on the way to a season-opening 34-8 drubbing of Cambridge.

"I think that first touchdown by Anthony was huge," said quad-captain Andrew Soucy. "We started slow, and when Anthony got into that end zone it got us going."

The Golden Warriors struggled out of the gates, stalling at the Cambridge 40 on their first drive, then going 3-and-out on their second possession.

But it was Christopher, who carried the ball in just two varsity games heading into the day, that set Blue and Gold on the right track, plunging in from 1 yard out with 4:36 to go before halftime.

"There is something unnerving about the first game, and going the first quarter without a score had us tight," said quad captain Arman Koul. "But Anthony came up huge. He is one of the toughest kids I know. I don't know how he plays that hard at his size."

After that touchdown it was all Andover, starting a run of five straight possessions with a touchdown.

E.J. Perry IV got in on the fun next, connecting with Dan Gemmell on a 33-yard touchdown pass with 0:23 before halftime.

Christopher then opened the second half with another score. After a fumble, Perry IV hit Brandon Marti for a touchdown, and four plays later Koul blocked a punt and Jared Smith recovered it in the end zone for a TD. Following that touchdown, the backups entered the game.

"We weren't ready at the start of the game," said Koul. "But we stepped up when it counted. We started making sticks, making big hits and that blocked punt was exciting."

After his slow start, Perry IV was red hot beginning in the second quarter. He completed 19 of 35 passes for 209 yards and the two scores. Soucy led the receivers with six catches for 72 yards. 

Koul paced the defense with 10 tackles, Perry Wynn had a sack and Smith picked off a pass.

"It is always great to get that first win under our belt," said Christopher. "I was doing my part hitting the holes and getting up field, E.J. was great and our receivers did a great job. We can't wait to take on Methuen."