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Leavitt returns, lifts Central in thriller over Dracut

Saturday, September, 29 By John Shimer
Staff writer

LAWRENCE | Central Catholic and Dracut played an instant classic under the lights of Veterans Stadium, but one key penalty early in the game cost the Middies an extra point, which was the difference in the Raiders' 21-20 win.

Trailing 20-14 after Matt Grimard hooked up with Jordan Murphy for a 17-yard strike and a converted two-point try only seven seconds into the fourth quarter, Central put together the clutch drive of the game.

"I was extremely pleased with our effort in the second half, we were much better disciplined, and the guys made the plays down the stretch when they had to on both sides of the ball," said exuberant Central coach Chuck Adamopoulos. "The key was getting back our two captains running back Mike Leavitt and offensive lineman Mike Schlosser."

On that final drive Leavitt, who bruised and battered the Middies on his way to 133 yards with a touchdown, had 41 yards on five carries before Matt Smith finished off the nine-play drive with a 7-yard score.

"Leavitt is one of the best backs in New England and clearly he was itching for the ball tonight getting his first action this season," said Dracut coach Patrick Murphy, whose team has lost its three games by a combined total of seven points.