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Masconomet Chieftains Football '08

Thu, Nov 27, 2008 10:00 AM @ North Andover
Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
Masconomet 7 10 7 7 31
North Andover 0 7 0 0 7

Walsh gives Knights a puncher’s chance

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The storybook ending to Brandon Walsh’s wild freshman season ends with an upset victory over three-time defending Cape Ann League Large champion Masconomet.

Roaring into high gear at 7-3 after an 0-3 start, the league champion Chieftains have other ideas, namely prepping for the Eastern Mass. Division 2A semifinal game Tuesday with Gloucester.

“Walsh has had quite the year. He became our quarterback pretty much by default, because we really didn’t have one in the system,” said Knights coach John Rafferty. “But he’s progressed very well.

“This game, though, is David and Goliath. They’re a physically superior, tough opponent. At this point, we’re on different ends of the spectrum (Masco is 15th ranked in Eastern Mass.). They’re thinking playoffs. We have a lot of young players working to get where they are.”

After a 19-for-70 start, Walsh has come into his own, totalling 1,094 yards passing. Complete Eagle-Tribune records go back 14 years, in that span only Scott Driscoll (1,128 yards, 2005) had a more prolific season.

Over the last five games, he is a superb 56 of 114 for 840 yards with 5 TDs and 2 INTs.

The fab frosh will need to be at his best, and he’ll also have to get some help from junior halfback Zac Iovanella, who after rushing for 1,170 yards as a sophomore, enters this one with only 546 yards on 140 carries.

“It’s been a tough year for Zac,” explained Rafferty. “It started with the bad ankle sprain, then he had some infections, and he’s been sick. He’s really been snake-bitten. It hasn’t been the year we’d all been hoping for.

“But he’s healthy right now, and that’s great to have.”

Facing Chris Splinter (12 TDs, 6 TD passes) and Evan Bunker (13 TDs), the Knight defense had better be prepared.

North Andover owns a 29-10-1 advantage all-time vs. Masco and 24-9 on Thanksgiving.

Game Statistics:

First Quarter

M- Evan Bunker 20 run (Nick Salvo kick), 7:15

Second Quarter

NA - Zac Iovanella 1 run (Dylan Lurvey kick), 9:44

M — Salvo 40 field goal, 4:44

M — Chris Splinter 1 run (Salvo kick), 1:!3

Third Quarter

M — Splinter 65 run (Salvo kick), 6:53

Fourth Quarter

M — Splinter 18 run (Salvo kick), 3:32

 

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

RUSHING: North Andover (22-53) — Zac Iovanella 18-36, Chris Buco 4-17, Masconomet (36-265) — Evan Bunker 15-121, Chris Splinter 9-87, Clay Cleveland 9-43, Kevin Anderson 2-7, Mike Fauci 1-7

PASSING: North Andover — Iovanella 6-11-2, 56; Masconomet — 5-9-0, 51

RECEIVING: North Andover — Aaron Brunette 4-47, Michael Weisman 2-9; Masconomet — Steve Sylvia 2-12, Kevin Anderson 1-17, Mike Hutchinson 1-11, Bunker 1-11

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