RallyNorth.net

North Andover Scarlet Knights Football '17

Fri, Oct 13, 2017 06:00 PM @ North Andover
Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
Dracut 0 7 0 0 7
North Andover 7 21 7 0 35

Knights dominate Dracut

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NORTH ANDOVER - North Andover's defense came up big in the first half and its offense was electric as usual in last night's 35-7 win over Dracut in front of a packed Jack Walsh Stadium.

It was one of the more satisfying victories for the Knights this season.

North Andover's defense picked off Dracut quarterback Devin Lambert three times in the first half.

"Our defense came up big, they're playing well," said head coach John Dubzinski. "They had a big play on that screen (Dracut's only touchdown) but other than that we contained them well in the passing game. We gave up more yards than we would like in the running game, but we were good when they threw the ball, and then we got up by some points."

Jake McElroy threw for 200 yards on 12 of 16 passing, finding Gabe DeSouza, Darren Watson and JD Allen for touchdown passes. McElroy was flushed from the pocket but made plays with his feet to give his receivers time to get open.

All four of those players, as well as JD Allen and Jack Walsh, highlight a strong junior class that has been dominant this season.

"They had a lot of experience when they were younger and we went 4-7," Dubzinski said. "But I think that's where the experience is paying off now. This is a strong junior class, they have a lot of leaders in that group as well, and they're obviously talented players. We're still a younger team, we only have 10 seniors on the roster."

After a quick first quarter which saw the Knights score on the last play of the period, North Andover exploded for 21 points in the second quarter. First McElroy found open space on a scramble and hit the hole for an 11-yard touchdown. Three minutes later, McElroy hit Gabe DeSouza for a 22-yard strike in the end zone and then McElroy zipped the ball to Watson on a slant for a 25-yard touchdown.

"Getting that separation with some quick scores, you could see the confidence grow in our team," said Dubzinski. "For us to come out and get a win like that, over a quality Dracut team, this is big for us. Dracut is a good team and they've had a good year. That's a good team and this is a real quality win for us."

North Andover looks to continue next Friday at Chelmsford in the final regular season game before the MIAA playoffs.

Game Statistics:

First Quarter

NA — Darren Watson 12 run (Gabe DeSouza kick), 0:09

Second Quarter

D — Nikhaysh Carter 51 pass from Devin Lambert (kick good), 7:55

NA — Jake McElroy 11 run (DeSouza kick), 6:22

NA — DeSouza 22 pass from McElroy (DeSouza kick), 3:58

NA — Watson 25 pass from McElroy (Caleigh Twomey kick), 1:12 

Third Quarter

NA — JD Allen 23 pass from McElroy (DeSouza kick), 6:14

 


INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

RUSHING: North Andover — Darren Watson 6-91, Gabe DeSouza 1-3, Jake McElroy 3-42, Will Testa 1-1, JD Allen 4-29, Jack Walsh 1-6, Freddy Gabin 9-94, Andrew Nolette 1-2; Dracut — Cam McCullough 7-11, Allyn French 3-6, Devin Lambert 5-18, Kyle Silva 1-5

PASSING: North Andover — McElroy 12-16-0, 200; Dracut — Lambert 3-10-3, 68

RECEIVING: North Andover — Watson 3-79, DeSouza 4-58, Walsh 4-40, Allen 1-23; Dracut — Nemisis Lopez 1-4, Nikhayish Carter 1-51, French 1-13

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