RallyNorth.net

Thanksgiving Day Preview: Lowell at Haverhill

Date: Thursday, Nov. 22

Time: 10 a.m.

Coaches: Tim Briggs

Quarterbacks: Peter Byron

Parking: There is immediate parking in the dirt and gravel lot outside Haverhill Stadium, between the entrances to the baseball field and the football field. There is also parking in the lot beyond the Stadium close to the softball fields and playground area as well as some parking on nearby streets.

Insider Tip: Because of reconstruction being done to Haverhill Stadium, there is precious little seating in the stands, so get there early if you want a seat. Otherwise, you'll join the hundreds standing and watching the game from beyond the roped-off area.

Series record: Lowell leads Thanksgiving series 7-2. It's been a difficult year for Lowell, which entered the season with high hopes, but never recovered from a slow start caused partly by a rash of injuries, including to star quarterback Matt Welch (season-ending finger injury). But it's been an even more difficult season for short-handed Haverhill, which has played the likes of Central Catholic (19-7) and Dracut (20-14) tough.

Unfortunately for Haverhill, Lowell has gotten healthier during the season and it boasts speed in the backfield with running back Ambruce Carter

Lowell never came close to meeting the preseason predictions. The Red Raiders did post a dramatic 31-30 win over Methuen in which they roared back from a 27-0 deficit. Haverhill has an excellent quarterback in its own right in senior Peter Byron. After passing for what may have been a school-record 1,371 yards as a junior, he has continued to shine through the air while also becoming a threat on the ground. Even when the team's blocking has broken down, he has remained a threat.

Justin Cook had enjoyed a fine year as Byron's top receiver and backs like Nick Vazquez and Noel Figuereo have helped move the chains on the ground. But Haverhill has had problems scoring after advancing to the red zone.