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LAWRENCE — Both the Central Catholic and Lawrence High football teams showed their inexperience, mixed with some opening night jitters.Central adjusted and eliminated its miscues, at least the giant ones. Lawrence simply had theirs multiply exponentially.

Jami Styrczula scored two goals as Haverhill defeated Central Catholic 2-1 in head coach Fred Tarbox's debut.

The Hillies, who Central has dominated in recent years, prevailed against the Raiders for the first time this decade. Haverhill (1-0) went up 2-0 before the Raiders (0-1) got on the board when Central's Kelley Mikus finished off a pass from Megan Jowett on a corner kick.

When Central Catholic opens the season tomorrow, it will be doing so without its most dangerous weapon.

Mike Leavitt, who is on pace to be one of the most prolific backs in area history, will miss at least the first two games of the season due to a hamstring injury, according to Central Catholic coach Chuck Adamopoulos.

2006 record: 8-4, lost EMass Division 1A semifinals

Returning starters (8): Adrien Mendez, Sr., RB/DB 5-8, 185; Shain Jowett, Jr., QB/DB, 6-2, 170; Justin Narbonne, Sr., SE/DB, 6-0, 165; Michael Smith, Sr., RB/LB, 6-1, 168; Mike Leavitt, Sr., RB/DB, 5-10, 190; Zak Adamopoulos, Jr., C/DE, 6-1, 224; Michael Schlosser, Sr., OT/DE, 6-2, 258; Chris Farren, Sr., TE/LB, 6-1, 210

2006 record: 5-4-7, did not make state tourney

Returning starters (7): Mike Bakhtiari, Sr., midfield; KB Oshodi, Sr., forward/defense; Brendan Slein, Sr., midfield; Marc Teal, Sr., midfield; Mike Zappala, Sr., defense; Daniel Caruso, Soph., midfield; Tim Adamchuk, Jr., defense

2006 record: 15-2-3, lost in Division 2 North quarterfinals

Returning starters (7): Jackie Vienneau, Sr., midfield; Ashley Evangelista, Jr., forward; Gia O'Connor, Jr., midfield; Mallary Forzese, Sr., forward; Kelley Mikus, Jr., defense; Rachel Bourque, Soph., midfield; Sarah Lattrell, Sr., defense

DANVERS | The difference between a win or a loss is not the number of yards or first downs a team racks up, but how many points are on the board.

Visiting Central Catholic marched up and down the field in the first half, but never had a lead against St. John's Prep at Cronin Stadium. The Eagles relied on their defense for some big stops in the red zone to take the battle of Groveland, where both Prep's Jim O'Leary and Raider coach Chuck Adamopoulos reside, 27-17. It marked the third straight win for St. John's and overall the series is now 20-10-1 in its favor.

ANDOVER | With a little deja vu at the start, a couple of big plays from quarterback Mike Pierce and some clutch stops from an unappreciated defense, Andover whipped up the recipe for a joyous holiday yesterday morning.