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Knights trip Masco, complete perfect CAL season

Thursday, November, 25 By Steve Palladino
Staff writer

NORTH ANDOVER — Dan Laorenza wasn’t too concerned at the fact that North Andover and Masconomet were on the opposite ends of the spectrum entering this Thanksgiving Day meeting.

“Thanksgiving is always the biggest game we play every year and beating Masconomet like that feels great. I can’t even describe it,” said the 5-10 receiver who had his hands in five Brandon Walsh completions during yesterday’s 20-7 win over Masconomet, before 2,500 at Joe Walsh Stadium.

The Knights (10-1 overall, 5-0 CAL) moves on to next Tuesday's Division 2A semifinal vs. Concord-Carlisle.

When Laorenza hauled in a 20-yard pass midway through the third quarter, it appeared that North Andover’s two touchdown lead (14-0 at the time) was secure. But Masconomet (2-9 overall, 2-3 CAL) responded with a touchdown moments later and then knocked on the door in the fourth quarter before the Knights turned them aside twice – both times within the North Andover 10-yard line.

But it wasn’t until Walsh engineered a 97-yard touchdown drive, late in the fourth quarter, that the Knights were able to breathe a sigh of relief.

“We expected this,” said North Andover head coach John Rafferty. “That (Masconomet) is a tough football team who has an excellent defense and we had our work cut out for us and had to battle all the way through.”

The Knights struggled to break through the Masconomet defense and held just a 7-0 lead midway through the third quarter, when a short punt and a penalty gave Walsh and the North Andover offense a golden opportunity from the Masconomet 20.

Walsh connected with Laorenza (5 catches, 65 yards) on the first play for a 20-yard TD pass.

After Masconomet cut the gap to 14-7, a fumble on the ensuing kickoff put Masconomet back in business. The Chieftains got to the North Andover seven before turning the ball over on downs.

After North Andover couldn’t move, a short punt and a good return put Masconomet in prime position at the Knights nine. But once again Masconomet failed, this time stalling at the North Andover three when a halfback option was broken up by North Andover senior Jon Swanton.

“All we talked about what that everyone had a specific job to do (on defense),” said Rafferty.  “Whether it was a coverage situation or being responsible on gaps, and then rushing the passer.

“Jon (Swanton) was in on every single breakup, that's for sure. He was where he needed to be when he was suppose to be there and that was a great job by him.”

With the end zone at his back and his offense in sputter mode, Walsh calmly moved his team out of harm's way, first thanks to Jack Murphy’s 11-yard run and then the quarterback’s own 52-yard scamper to the Masconomet 34.

Keeping the ball on the ground, North Andover capped off the near coast-to-coast drive when Murphy (47 yards rushing) went in from a yard out.

“It just so happened that I had a few catches today but everyone played great,” said Laorenza.  “Our defense was probably the highlight of our day.”

The Knights defense was led by five tackles each from Bob Trickett and David Foote.