NA makes big statement in MVC

NORTH ANDOVER — Despite two impressive wins over Billerica and Lowell, everyone in the overflow crowd at Joe Walsh Stadium knew that last night’s matchup with perennial MVC Large power Central Catholic would prove to be a true barometer of just how far No. 8 North Andover could go.

The Scarlet Knights delivered by putting together an impressive all-around performance while posting a 14-7 win over the Raiders.

The Knights (3-0) scored in each half and would have pitched a shutout save for fumbling the ball away in the final minute deep in their own territory.

“The only easy thing about a game like this is that you don’t have to motivate the kids,” said third-year North Andover coach John Dubzinski. “Going into the week you could tell there was a different atmosphere in practice. Our kids really did a great job from start to finish. Our defense did a great job flying all over the field and the offense made the plays when they had to, especially in the second half.”

Leading 7-0 at the half, the hosts got all the insurance they would need as senior quarterback Jake McElroy, who scored the game’s first TD, marched the Knights smartly 80 yards on 12 plays. The drive culminated with McElroy’s 5-yard rumble up the middle through a gaping hole by J.D. Allen with nine minutes to go. McElroy was 3-for-4 on the drive for 24 yards, while rushing for another 46 yards.

The score was more than enough with the way the Knights defense was flying to the ball.

“We knew Central would be a tough team, but we prepared well and executed well,” said senior defensive end Mike Roche, who recorded three sacks. Mark Federico added an interception and a sack, while defensive tackle Raphael Usuomon (two sacks) also made his presence felt for North Andover, which next takes on Tewksbury.

Anthony Caggianelli notched the lone score late for Central (1-2).

After a scoreless first quarter, North Andover struck first as it put together an impressive nineplay, 80-yard drive that ended with McElroy tucking the ball away deep in the pocket and scrambling 13 yards to his left to paydirt with 7:20 left to play in the half. The Knights leaned heavily on the inside-outside attack of the shifty Darren Watson and punishing 240-pound junior fullback Mike Difo on the drive with a nice connection from McElroy to Gabe DeSouza mixed in for good measure.

Central would get as deep as the Knights 33 late in the half but a big third-down sack by Roche and an incompletion on fourth snuffed the drive.