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Late dramatic rally fall short

ANDOVER — It had the look of a classic comeback story.

With 2:05 remaining in the fourth quarter, Andover's E.J. Perry IV connected with Dan Gemmell on an 92-yard touchdown pass, cutting Billerica's lead to just eight points.

The Golden Warriors followed with an onside kick that was recovered by Warrior Matt McDermott. 

One referee pointed Andover ball, and the Golden Warrior offense rushed out onto the field.

But that celebration would be short-lived.

The referees met at midfield, and ruled that the ball had not gone 10 yards, handing the ball to Billerica. The Indians followed three plays later with a touchdown.

Andover scored one late touchdown with four seconds left, but it was too late and the Golden Warriors dropped a thriller to Billerica 44-35.

"They (the referees) said the ball didn't go the 10 yards," said Andover head coach E.J. Perry. "We saw it as it hit the 50-yard line, but they said it didn't. No one touched the ball, but they said it didn't make the 50.

"We just have to be better. We need to be a more complete team. We can't settle for only playing on one side of the ball (offense)."

With Andover trailing 24-7 heading into the fourth quarter, Golden Warriors QB and reigning Eagle-Tribune male Athlete of the Year Perry IV and Eagle-Tribune All-Star Gemmell erupted.

Perry IV threw for 260 yards and four touchdowns in the fourth alone, with 159 yards and three of those scores going to Gemmell. 

After opening the fourth with a 2-yard score to emerging slot receiver Joe Rockwell (7 catches, 108 yards, 2 TDs), Perry IV found Gemmell one drive later for a 44-yard score.

The two then added a spectacular play, as Perry IV threw a short pass to Gemmell, who made a move and went 92 yards for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 37-29 and setting up the onside kick.

"We have an exploding offense," said Perry III. "But we had three drives in the first half that stalled in their territory. Not scoring on those drives changes the complexion of the game."

For the second straight week, however, Andover struggled mightily on defense.

The Golden Warriors allowed Billerica touchdowns on its first three drives of the game, then after two stops in the third the Indians scored on their final three drives of the game to clinch the win. 

Andover allowed 436 total yards after allowing 384 yards to BC High running back Danny Abraham alone one week ago. 

"Hopefully the defense can build off the third quarter," said Perry III. "We know what we need to do. We will go back to work this week."