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Haverhill builds big lead, holds on

HAVERHILL — Haverhill coach Tim O’Connor wrapped up the Hillies’ 28-21 victory over Westford in true Gertrude Stein fashion Friday night.

“A win is a win is a win,” said O’Connor, whose club is now 2-1. “It wasn’t pretty, but it was a win.”

Using an effective ball control offense most of the way, the Hillies led 28-7 deep into the fourth quarter until two Westford touchdowns in the final 1:43. They were precipitated by a pass interference call on fourth down, a successful onside kick and a blown coverage on a long pass.

Until then, Haverhill controlled most of the game, scoring on its first possession when gritty senior David Carreiro (10 carries, 109 yards) ran it in from five yards. The Hillies made it 13-0 in the second quarter when Brady Skafas led senior Sam Prescott beautifully into the end zone for a 25-yard scoring strike.

“When I saw it coming, I was a little nervous,” said Prescott, who also had a strong game punting the ball (3 kicks for a 38-yard average). “But I knew I had to get it — it’s my first touchdown in high school.”

Westford scored at the end of the half to make it 13-7 but, thanks to offensive linemen Jay Levy, Joe Santoro, Jonathan Quigley, Ryan McCartney and Brandon Grundy, the Hillies took control to start the second half.

The Hillies opened the second half by taking nearly six minutes off the clock and marching 71 yards for the score, with Carreiro getting the TD on an 11-yard run. Westford had the ball for only one possession in the third quarter.

The Hillies made it 28-7 when Disani Houston scored from one yard out midway through the third quarter, set up by Carlton Campbell’s 40-yard scamper. That pretty much put the game away even with Westford’s last-gasp rally.

“It was sloppy but we’re getting better,” said O’Connor. “We need some guys to play better, but the defense played well for most of the game and I liked the games of Brady Skafas, Sam Prescott and the offensive line.”

Haverhill is at Methuen Friday at 7 p.m.