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ANDOVER | Andover needed a big win.

After dropping two of its last three games with a messy win over Dracut in the middle, the Golden Warriors finally came up with a clean victory, a 35-7 defeat of Haverhill last night on the new turf at Eugene V. Lovely Field.

HAVERHILL | Methuen senior and tri-captain David Koerner has enjoyed plenty of fine moments in athletics, but they all paled compared to last night.

"This is the best feeling I've had by far, and I play three sports," said Koerner after the Rangers snapped a 33-game Merrimack Valley Conference losing streak, dating back to 2002, with a convincing 28-7 victory over Haverhill before more than 1,000 fans.

CHELMSFORD | The night started with Haverhill two-way lineman Chad Hafford leaving the Chelmsford High football field via ambulance with a leg injury and things never got much prettier for the brown and gold after that as Chelmsford jumped all over the winless Hillies, 46-20.

Haverhill didn't have any trouble moving the ball but had problems scoring in a 28-0 loss at Catholic Memorial. The Hillies (0-2) moved the ball deep into Catholic Memorial territory four times but came away empty as two interceptions in the end zone and two turnovers on downs spelled doom for the Hillies. "We had two 12-play drives that came up empty," said Haverhill head coach Tim Briggs. Running backs Noel Figuereo and Nick Vazquez each had fine games.

HAVERHILL | Sophomore quarterback Marcos Almeida made the most of his opportunity for Malden last night in a 20-6 season-opening victory over Haverhill.

Pressed into duty when star junior QB Justin Richardson was hit with a one-game suspension, Almeida threw two touchdown passes and scored on a brilliant 45-yard scramble on what was supposed to be a pass play.

2006 record: 4-7

Returning starters (12): Peter Byron, Sr., QB, 5-8, 175; Troy Warcewicz, Sr., RB/LB, 5-10, 200; Dan Saunders, Sr., LB, 6-0, 200; Dan Triplett, Jr., DL, 6-0, 220; Nick Vazquez, Jr., RB/DB, 5-9, 170; Kenny Perkins, Sr., WR/DB, 5-9, 165; Isiah Ocasio-Pantoja, Jr., DB, 6-0, 175; Joe Natale, Jr., WR/LB, 6-0, 190; Justin Cook, Sr., WR, 6-1, 170; Brian Paszko, Sr., OL, 5-10, 220; Tim Wallace, Sr., OL, 6-1, 250; Miguel Rosario, Sr., OL/DL, 5-10, 230