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Dragon magic as Pentucket rolls over Haverhill

HAVERHILL — Nolan Dragon did his best to downplay the moment, but the smile on his sweat-covered face said everything.

“This was a good day,” Dragon said, in the understatement of the year.

The senior fullback rushed for a stunning 237 yards and three touchdowns, returned an interception 68 yards for another score and led Pentucket in tackles as the Sachems ran over MVC foe Haverhill 41-21 yesterday afternoon.

“They may have a lot more kids and a lot more size,” said Dragon. “But we outworked them today.”

Dragon’s 237 yards marked the most for a Pentucket player since The Eagle-Tribune began keeping complete records in 1998. It was on only 13 carries, an average of 18.2 yards a rush.

“Nolan is a beast,” said defensive back Calvin Wiles. “Nolan is the heart of our team.”

Dragon set the tone early, scoring the game’s opening touchdown on a 10-yard plunge. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder then clinch the Sachems’ victory, running for a pair of 70-yard touchdowns — on two straight carries — in the second half.

But his greatest contribution may have been on defense.

With the Sachems leading just 14-8 in the final seconds of the first half, Dragon picked off a pass and sprinted 68 yards for a touchdown that put Pentucket in control.

“I had just fumbled the ball so I wanted to make a play,” said Dragon. “Any time you have the ball you want to get into the end zone, but it was especially big right before the half.”

Dan Sullivan, who anchored a dominant performance by the offensive line, agreed the pick was the game’s turning point.

“Nolan’s interception was huge,” he said. “We went into halftime feeling great, but we knew we had to keep out foot on the pedal.”

Dragon led the Sachems with 10 tackles, while defensive back Cody Rothwell was right behind with nine tackles and Mike Tashjian added six stops. Tim Freiermuth and Stephen Girard each chipped in with a sack and freshman Jeff Porter made his second interception in two games.

They led the way for a Pentucket defense that limited Haverhill star Chance Brady to only 53 yards on 16 carries. That marked the first time he has been held under 130 yards since he became a starter at the beginning of this season.

Wiles added a huge play of his own. Haverhill QB Tommy Morgan threw a swing pass behind himself that was dropped for a fumble. Wiles picked it up and ran 41 yards for a touchdown.

The Sachems scored another long touchdown, when Ryan Kuchar threw a 49-yard touchdown pass to tight end Freiermuth.

“We felt like we could win but look at that scoreboard,” said Wiles. “That surprises even me. I think this sends a message to the rest of the CAL.”

Additional stories:

• VIDEO: Dragon, Pentucket football rolls over Haverhill