RallyNorth.net

Fri, Oct 19, 2007 07:00 PM @ Lowell

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Andover	0	20	7	7	34
Lowell	0	0	0	0	0

Andover avoids repeat by drubbing Lowell

Saturday, October, 20 By David Willis
Staff writer

LOWELL | The weather made the comparison inevitable.

"Last year we had a rainy game (against Lowell) and ended up losing in overtime," said wide receiver Matt Rayner. "It was a little added inspiration. We weren't going to let it slip away like last year."

A year ago, the Golden Warriors lost a heartbreaker in the rain to the Red Raiders, and it cost them a chance at the MVC title. But there would be no struggles this season. Andover hit on all cylinders in pounding Lowell 34-0 on the artificial turf at Cawley Stadium.

"It was the same as last year without the muddy field," said Andover coach Ken Maglio. "It was very important to get ahead early and then take care of the ball."

The Golden Warriors did just that. Andover scored three touchdowns in a matter of 6:20 in the second quarter, and was well in control when the heavy rain began to fall moments before halftime.

The conditions had no effect on Andover quarterback Mike Pierce, who finished 13-of-19 passing for 210 yards with touchdowns to Peter Hanson and Rayner. He now has passed for 1,522 yards and 12 touchdowns on the year.

Hanson led the receivers with five catches for 58 yards while Sam Clark had two catches for a season-high 57 yards and Rayner had two grabs for 46 yards.

"They gave us the flats and we took advantage and went down the field with it," said Maglio. "Michael (Pierce) did a great job (of holding onto the ball) on snaps."

Chris Abreu continued his development as a go-to back, carrying 20 times for 97 yards touchdowns of 14 and 2 yards. He had a third score called back for holding. Pierce added 28 yards and a score on seven rushes.

The Golden Warriors allowed only 99 yards of total offense. Returning All-MVC quarterback Matt Welch, who threw for 250 yards and four touchdowns last week, completed only 3 of 9 for 13 yards before leaving the game late in the third period.

Halfback Ambruce Carter rushed for 74 yards, but 57 of those came after the game was out of reach.

Brendan Hughes and Kevin Hitchko tied for the Andover lead with five tackles apiece while Clark had three and Jon Maedel had two, including the hit of the night on Carter.

"We had to remember Lowell is a tough team," said Maglio. "We had to remember to not look forward to (undefeated) Chelmsford. Now we can look ahead."

The Golden Warriors (5-2, 4-1 MVC) face a tough task next week against the Lions, who stand in first place in the MVC with a 4-0 conference record, and stand 6-1 overall. However, it will mark Chelmsford's first game against the conference elite. The Lions have yet to play Andover, Central Catholic, Dracut or Billerica.

"We are shooting for an MVC title and we can't lose another game," said Rayner. "We have to win out."