Knights Fall to Andover for Sixth Straight Year

At two points in the game last night, the Knights were in phenomenal position to come up with a win. Unfortunately, they could not finish the job and ended up falling to Andover for the sixth consecutive year.

This time around the Warriors came away with a 30-20 win.

“At this point in the season they weren’t as good as us,” said Andover’s star running back Andrew Coke.  “We still respect them as a team, but we went into this one thinking we were the better team,” he continued.

The season opener started with elation as the Knights jumped ahead 7-0 in the first quarter.

The North Andover kickoff team got the 2011 season underway by kicking the ball deep, forcing a fumble, and recovering the ball deep in Andover territory. That was the first of three first quarter turnovers by Andover. 

Senior quarterback Brandon Walsh led the charge and scored on a two yard runy on third and goal to make it 7-0.

The second moment of optimism came after a play in the fourth quarter with North Andover trailing 17-13.

Brandon Walsh, hampered by multiple right leg injuries, settled under center, dropped back and found his younger brother Casey streaking down the left sideline.

The crowd took a collective gasp as Brandon Walsh fired to the younger Casey Walsh in stride.

Sixty-one yards later, North Andover held a 20-13 lead.

The Knights let the rest of their game slip through their fingers. Twice they had their chance to take a chokehold on this game but Andover took control with solid defense and offensive execution. 

After the brotherly love touchdown, Andover answered back so quickly that the Knights’ had no idea what hit them.

On the ensuing drive, Warriors’ quarterback C.J. Scarpa tossed a 60 yard touchdown pass to Cam Farnham putting Andover back in the lead for good.

"That is what Andover football is all about," said Andover head coach E.J. Perry. "We come back, and we never say day, and that’s the way it’s going to be,” said Andover head coach E.J. Perry.

Scarpa finished his day going 8 for 18 with 135 yards, 3 touchdowns, and an interception.

His counterpart Brandon Walsh was 12 out of 25 passing for 186 yards and a pair of unfortunate interceptions.

Walsh did most of his damage in the running game. The senior had only nine attempts but made them count. He ran for 97 yards and two touchdowns before enduring multiple injuries to his right leg.

Walsh suffered an injury to his right knee as well as the upper back side of his thigh. His status for next week is unknown at this time.

Andrew Coke was money for the Warriors. The MVC superstar ran or 130 yards off 21 attempts in the Andover option running game. He had a two yard touchdown run to even the score at seven in the second quarter.

A ten yard pass from C.J. Scarpa to Isaiah Nelson in the fourth quarter extended Andover’s lead to 30-20.

Dan Laorenza was a standout for the Knights nabbing eight catches for 105 yards and one key fumble while his team was in the red zone.

Next Friday the Knights host Reading Memorial High at 7pm. Reading Is 0-1 after being blown out by Lawrence last night.