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Johnson stars as Andover pounds Lowell

Monday, November, 16 By David Willis
Staff writer

ANDOVER — At points in his career, Andover’s Jimmy Johnson has played everywhere from defensive line to defensive back. But on Friday, defensive coordinator Derrik Beasley had another plan.

“Coach Beasley told me to go to linebacker and have a field day,” said Johnson. “That’s exactly what I did.”

Johnson was a force on both sides of the ball in his final game on the Eugene V. Lovely turf, recording three total touchdowns to lead Andover to a 34-16 victory over Lowell.

The senior wasted no time setting the tone for the game, hauling in a pass from John Hennessy and finished off a 31-yard touchdown with 7:42 still left in the first quarter. The two also connected on Andover’s final touchdown of the game, with Hennessy lofting a fade pass into the end zone that basketball player Johnson brought in near the back of the end zone. Those were Johnson’s fourth and fifth TD receptions of the year.

“We felt great going into the game,” he said. “Hennessy was bulleting balls to me in warmups that were hurting my hands. He threw some excellent passes.”

But Johnson was also catching passes from Lowell QB Kyle Edwards.

With 2:50 left in the first half, Johnson stepped in front of an Edwards pass and bolted 25 yards into the end zone for a touchdown. Then, with Lowell driving late, Johnson jumped to haul in a Hail Mary pass to clinch the victory.

“I don’t know how he does it,” said Andover senior offensive/defensive lineman Kris Riemer. “He just floats around the field. I love it. I sit back and watch the ball go up and he floats under it and catches it.”

Hennessy also hit receiver Christopher McConnell on a 55-yard bomb for a score. Hennessy finished the game 13-of-20 throwing for 191 yards. McConnell led the way with two grabs for 70 yards, Johnson added four catches for 60 yards and Christian Lightner had a team-best five catches for 49 yards.

Defensive linemen Riemer and Peter Theodorou and linebacker Craig Hornung all tied for the team-high with nine tackles, while Brian Miller and Jake Lebowitz each added seven stops and Lightner had five tackles and an interception.

“It was great to get out there and finally win tonight,” said Riemer. “We had hit a few speed bumps, but this is a big confidence builder. They were tough, but we came out and won.”