Masco Stuns NA

The Knights suffered a heartbreaking loss in the annual Thanksgiving Day showdown. Masco dramatically engineered a game winning touchdown drive in the final minute.

North Andover went up 12-0 but gave up 13 unanswered, fourth quarter points to a patient and determined Masco squad.

“It’s a tremendous disappointment,” said Knights head coach John Rafferty. “They made the plays; we didn’t,” he continued.

Late in the fourth, the Knights were clinging to a 12-6 lead. North Andover, faced with a fourth and short, ran the ball with (141 yards, touchdown).

“John always brings it,” said Rafferty.

Iannone was stuffed at the Masco 40 yard line and the Cheiftans took over with 1:56 to go.

Masco marched down the field and with 18 seconds left, they tied it up on a three yard rushing play. For the first time in the game, a kicker made an extra point, and as the ball sailed through the uprights, the Masconomet sideline erupted.

With only 18 seconds left on the clock, and the Knights’ offense took over.

North Andover was stranded on the field at the end of the game when a Hail Mary fell incomplete.

, who played in his final high school football game, will leave a legacy as one of North Andover’s greatest quarterbacks of all time.

His high school career ended yesterday in bitter disappointment as he was neutralized by the Masco defense throughout most of the day. He reinjured his left ankle in the third quarter but managed to return to the game after missing minimal time.

“Walshy always brings it,” said Rafferty. “He’s a great competitor. I’ve had him for four years and I wish I had him for another four,” he said.

now hands the keys to the Knights offense to his younger brother Casey.

Nick Oswald got the scoring underway with one minute left in the first quarter. He scampered in from six yards out to put the Knights on the board.

There was no other scoring until the third quarter.

North Andover made a huge goal line stand in the third when Masco was threatening to get its first score.

On the four yard line, the defense came up huge and forced a turnover on downs. The ensuing drive was a thing of beauty for North Andover and its fans.

Walsh and the Knights marched down the field and completed a 96 yard drive when Iannone charged in from the six yard line.

Again, the extra point was no good; this time it would end up breaking the Knights’ backs.

Masco got all of its 13 points in the fourth quarter. About halfway through the quarter, a rushing touchdown made it 12-6. The final touchdown saw the first successful extra point attempt with 18 seconds left.

Out of luck, the Knights’ headed to the bus with a defeat that will sting for another year.

Next year, the Knights will stand behind expected starting quarterback Casey Walsh. North Andover will look for revenge when North Andover hosts the Thanksgiving Day game.

North Andover still holds a 30-15-1 all-time advantage over Masco. In Thanksgiving Day games, the Knights still lead the series 25-11-1.