| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phillips | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| North Andover | 13 | 26 | 7 | 46 |
Friday, October, 14
By David Willis
Staff writer
NORTH ANDOVER — For anyone that was wondering if it was wise for North Andover to schedule Phillips Academy, the Scarlet Knights wasted no time answering that question.
“Everyone told us they had (postgraduates) and Division 1 prospects,” said quarterback Brandon Walsh. “We came out firing because we wanted to prove the point that we could keep up with the prep school.”
The Scarlet Knights scored a pair of touchdowns in 55 seconds over their first two possessions and surged to a 46-0 victory over Phillips Academy in a game that was called with 5:06 left in the third quarter due to lightning.
“We didn’t have much film on Phillips and didn’t know quite what to expect,” said running back John Iannone. “So we set the tone early, and that lets us know we can play at this level.”
North Andover jumped out to a 39-0 lead at halftime and scored on its only possession of the second half.
Despite heavy rain through much of the contest, Walsh was spot on. He completed 12-of-18 passes for 132 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He also scored a touchdown on a quarterback sneak and picked off a pass and ran it back 18 yards for a touchdown.
“He did a great job,” said Knights coach John Rafferty. “There were times when it was driving rain, and rain or no rain we’re going to pass the football. He was very accurate and we had some great catches.”
Iannone continued to impress, rushing 16 times for 106 yards and three touchdowns.
The North Andover defense was just as dominant, holding the Big Blue to 66 yards of total offense, including only 25 on the ground.
The Knights added four interceptions, with Dan Laorenza picking off a pair of passes and Walsh and Bobby Trickett each making one interception, the latter aided by a deflection by John Miller.
“Our line was bringing the pressure on the quarterback and forcing him out of the pocket,” said Laorenza, who also caught a touchdown. “We didn’t know much about them, so we just played the game.”
During Phillips’ first drive of the second half, a flash of lightning called for a delay, and the game was eventually called.
“I had no idea about the lightning,” said Laorenza. “I was disappointed. We were playing well and still had about quarter and a half to play.”
First Quarter
NA — Brandon Walsh 1 run (Glen Hartford kick), 6:44
NA — Tom Moody 13 pass from Walsh (kick failed), 5:29
Second Quarter
NA — John Iannone 9 run (kick failed), 10:44
NA — Walsh 18 interception return (Ryan Quinn kick), 7:40
NA — Dan Laorenza 18 pass from Walsh (kick failed), 5:15
NA — Iannone 1 run (Quinn kick), 3:52
Third Quarter
NA — Iannone 9 run (Quinn kick), 9:07
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
RUSHING: NA (22-149) — John Iannone 16-106, Nick Oswald 4-29, Brandon Walsh 2-14; PA (16-26) — Tyler West 4-19, Tommy Shannon 5-10, John O'Brien 1-7, Kastle Jones 2-0, Mike DeLaus 1-0, Tim Salvadore 3-(-10)
PASSING: NA — Walsh 12-18-0, 132; PA — Shannon 6-11-2, 35, Salvadore 2-6-2, 5
RECEIVING: NA — Dan Laorenza 6-49, Tom Moody 3-36, Brandon Lash 2-24, Iannone 1-23; PA — West 5-28, Alex Kramer 1-9, DeLaus 2-3
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