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BOXFORD — Losing the first-place showdown against Lynn English 13 days ago was a bitter pill to swallow. Yesterday’s fourth quarter collapse may have hurt almost as much.

Looking to end its 41 years in the Cape Ann League on a high note, Merrimack Valley Conference-bound North Andover blew a 12-0 fourth-quarter lead and lost to Masconomet, 13-12, on a Mike Tivinis 6-yard run with 18 seconds remaining.

NORTH ANDOVER — The fight just wasn't a fair one, and Lynn English exploited it.

The Bulldogs, behind their healthy star quarterback Jermaine Kelley, laid claim to the Cape Ann League/Northeastern Conference Division 1 crown, rapping North Andover and hobbled senior signal-caller Brandon Walsh, 24-13, at a chilly Walsh Stadium.

PEABODY — If North Andover was a one man football team, Peabody might have made a comeback when all-star quarterback Brandon Walsh went down with an injury in the first quarter.

The Scarlet Knights are a complete club, however, and younger brother Casey Walsh led two scoring drives to help North Andover put away the Tanners, 35-10, at Coley Lee Field.

REVERE — North Andover’s game plan was as simple as it was effective. “We wanted to run the ball (last night), we made a point of that,” said Scarlet Knights head coach John Rafferty. With a front line performing like a fine tuned five-cylinder engine and running back John Iannone getting the brunt of the benefits, Revere had no answers as North Andover (now 7-1, 2-0 in the CAL/NEC Division 1 alignment) rolled to a 34-6 victory. Peter Markowski, Stephen O’Grady, Collin Couillard, Bobby Trickett and John Miller were regularly blocking into the secondary and didn’t stop clobbering Patriot defenders until the whistle blew. And behind such a powerful performance, all Iannone had to do was follow. The senior got the call on 22 of North Andover’s 31 first-half plays, gaining 143 yards and scoring two of his three touchdowns. With quarterback Brandon Walsh contributing the Knights’ first two TDs on runs while completing the only three passes he needed to throw, North Andover’s first-string offense found the end zone on all five of its possessions. “We wanted to stay focused, pay attention to detail and get the job done,” Rafferty said. “I’m pretty satisfied with what we did.” The defensive front seven was also a thorn in the side of Revere (5-3, 1-2 in the league), putting pressure on quarterback Joe Ritchie and forcing him to throw three interceptions. Trickett, O’Grady, Nate Hitchcock and Greg Ryan (sack) all kept Ritchie on the run, and Walsh, Tom O’Mara and Nick Festa came up with the picks. “It’s all part of the scheme,” Rafferty said. “They had their responsibilities, their techniques they had to perfect. We had a good pass rush, and as a result we were able to put pressure on the passer and his throws were not crisp.” North Andover’s production was especially impressive considering Revere is a brand-new opponent. “We’ve never faced these teams before,” Rafferty said. “As a result, we’re not going off past experience at all. “A new week and a new challenge, we have to get up to speed in a hurry and do our best.” In last night’s blowout, the Knights certainly hit their stride with no problems.

NORTH ANDOVER — The Scarlet Knights found the first six points difficult to come by last night. The following 36, however, came much easier.

Quarterback Brandon Walsh had a nearly perfect first half and the Knights came within 1:54 of posting their third consecutive shutout as North Andover routed Lynn Classical 42-6 in the Cape Ann/Northeastern League Division 1 opener for both teams.

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.”

WESTFORD — Westford Academy debuted its new synthetic surface last night, but it was North Andover that provided the christening.

The Scarlet Knights shut down the Grey Ghosts potent rushing attack and amassed just enough offense of their own as North Andover claimed a methodical 21-6 victory.

See highlights and interviews from North Andover's victory over Reading.

NORTH ANDOVER — If there was any question how North Andover’s Brandon Walsh was feeling after struggling with dehydration a week ago, it was definitively answered with his highlight-reel 20-yard touchdown run as time expired in the first half.