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Lebowitz keys dominant Andover attack

Saturday, September, 13 By David Willis
Staff writer

ANDOVER — With its offense still a work in progress, Andover’s defense took the pressure off.

“We knew we had to execute today and that’s exactly what we did,” said Golden Warriors linebacker and tri-captain Steven LaFortune. “When you shut a team out you can’t say you did much wrong.”

Andover held North Andover to just 24 yards of total offense on the way to downing its neighboring rivals 22-0 last night at Eugene V. Lovely Field.

“We just made plays today,” said tackle and tri-captain Andrew Lebowitz. “We started off in a 5-2 (defense) and made some moves. It was all about intensity.”

The 6-foot, 175-pound Lebowitz led the way against the Scarlet Knights, who were without star quarterback/running back Zac Iovanella. North Andover coach John Rafferty said he was out with a “gimpy ankle.”

Freshman Brandon Walsh started in Iovanella’s place and was under heavy pressure all night, being sacked six  times. Lebowitz and Kevin Baroni each notched two sacks while LaFortune and Nick Sylvester had one apiece.

“The defensive line really stepped up,” said Lebowitz. “Jake Lebowitz, Pete Theodorou, Baroni. We had good penetration and that allowed the linebackers to make plays.”

Lebowitz made a team-high six tackles while Sylvester, Theodorou and LaFortune each made four. Yogi Layne and Craig Hornung each stood out against the pass, knocking down a pair of passes each.

“We didn’t give them any time to throw the ball,” said LaFortune. “And the coverage was great. He didn’t have anywhere to throw the ball, so that led to sacks.”

After early adjustments, the Andover offense also clicked. In his first start at quarterback, John Hennessy was 14 for 24 passing for 177 yards. He connected on touchdowns of 15 and 16 yards to Jimmy Johnson and hit Ryan Peek for a 20-yard score.

Also in his first start, running back Tucker Devine carried 16 times for 91 yards. He started off hot, with a 31-yard rush in his first attempt of the game. Peek finished with three catches for 55 yards and Johnson had three catches for 45 yards.

“We only have one starter back on offense,” said Andover coach Ken Maglio. “We have a young team, so you never know what’s going to happen. But they came in an played great tonight. When we got it going we were looking very good.”

Ben Holm led the Scarlet Knights with six tackles and Matt Taylor added five.