RallyNorth.net

Andover runs over Tewksbury

Saturday, October, 13 By David Willis
Staff writer

TEWKSBURY | Yesterday was Andover senior Zack Kutchin's kind of game.

"I couldn't be any happier because I play offensive line and we were able to run the ball down their throats," said the right tackle. "Power offense is the best thing in the world. It felt good on the line to win a game like this for once."

After throwing the ball around in the first half, the Golden Warriors switched to a straight-ahead running game in the second half and used it to down Merrimack Valley Conference rival Tewksbury 31-21.

After Tewksbury tied the game 14-14 on the first possession of the second half, Andover pulled a complete 180, taking to the ground. The Golden Warriors ran on 21 of 25 plays in the final two quarters and racked up 133 yard and a pair of touchdowns.

"We know we can move the ball through the air," said quarterback Mike Pierce. "It was our main focus to get the ground game going. It gives me a lot more options (in the passing game). And it was (Chris) Abreu's best game of the season. He was getting a ton of yards after first contact."

Abreu carried the load for the Golden Warriors. After finishing the first half with negative-1 rushing yards, the halfback carried 15 times in the second half for 117 yards | his first career 100-yard rushing game. That allowed Andover to eat up the clock for almost the entire second half.