CC’s Pereira totals five first-half TDs
CENTRAL CATHOLIC 56 ANDOVER 0
LAWRENCE — Those who believe Ayden Pereira is the top quarterback in Massachusetts continue to receive ammunition that fuels their case.
Once again Pereira impressed as he totaled 328 yards and five first-half touchdowns, while the Raiders defense posted a shutout as No. 5 Central Catholic handily defeated Merrimack Valley Conference foe Andover, 56-0, on Friday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Lawrence.
Central Catholic (3-1) has now scored 154 combined points across its three wins with Pereira totaling 19 touchdowns across the victories. Since falling to St. John’s Prep in Week 2, the Raiders have outscored their opponents 87-7.
“That loss to St. John’s Prep kind of put us in our place and showed us we had more work to do than we thought,” Pereira said. “We’ve really made an effort to bring it every day in practice these last few weeks and started to treat every game like a championship.”
While the headline on Friday night was the Raiders offensive assault, their defense was equally impressive as they held a talented Golden Warriors offense to just three first-half first downs. Throughout the night Jaden Wiggins, Michael Brown and Sean Mercuri made Andover quarterback Scottie Brown’s evening a struggle.
“I am proud of our defense because the first two weeks of the season we did not play well on that side of the ball and these last two weeks we have been much better,” Central Catholic coach Chuck Adamopoulos said.
Central Catholic’s offense was on fire from the opening snap. After a Marcus Rivera interception on the third play of the game gave the Raiders great field position, Pereira connected with Justice McGrail in the back corner of the end zone for a 30-yard score and a 7-0 lead.
After an Andover threeand-out, the Central offense went back to work with Pereira once again finding McGrail, this time for 34 yards to give Central a 14-0 advantage. The Raiders kept their foot on the gas as the game transitioned to the second quarter. Touchdown runs by Pereira of 3 yards and 59 yards doubled the Raiders edge up to 28. Then, on the final play of the half, the Raiders showcased some flair as Pereira hit Matthias Latham with a swing pass which the junior then took for 50 yards as the clock expired to give Central a commanding 35-0 lead at the break.
“Ayden has stopped surprising me,” Adamopoulos said. “He makes plays with his arm, his legs, he keeps plays alive. He is intense and a competitor. I am going to miss him after the season.”