Andover and North Andover always seem to serve up something memorable on Thanksgiving Day.
Since renewing their Turkey Day rivalry in 2015, the series is all tied up at 4-4 — after the Scarlet Knights scored a 20-16 upset win a year ago — with stunners and dramatic finishes regularly on the menu.
It was 10 years ago that this holiday rivalry debut in dramatic fashion, when Arman Koul led a wall of Andover defenders that stopped Joe Samuelman at the goal line on a 2-point conversion attempt with 0:34 left to preserve a 42-41 Golden Warrior win.
Andover entered last year on a two-game winning streak in the rivalry (combined 75-28), after North Andover won a classic, 27-26, on the hallowed ground of Fenway Park in 2021.
The Scarlet Knights last won two straight from 2017-18, the latter a week before they iced a perfect season with a Division 2 state title.
This year adds another interesting plot line, with first-year head coaches and friends Jay Fielding of Andover and Matt Cerullo of North Andover replacing two of the most accomplished coaches of the last 20 years, E.J. Perry III and John Dubzinski. Fielding and Cerullo have spent years training area athletes together with their “Pact Performance” training program.
So, cliche as it may be, the records are thrown out when Andover (6-4) and North Andover (3-7) meet.
Andover enters as the favorite, after advancing to the Division 1 quarterfinals. The Golden Warriors are led by first-year QB Kyle Olson (1,405, 17 TDs passing; 782 yards, 9 TDs rushing) and running back Marcus Dejesus (671 yards, 9 TDs rushing; 243 yards, 3 TDs receiving).
North Andover is playing its best football of the season, winners of two straight, over Lawrence (42-14) and Westford Academy (40-6). The Knights are led by their dual-threat QB Austin Allen, who has topped 1,000 yards rushing and nearing the mark passing.
Prediction: Andover 32, North Andover 24
Wednesday’s Game
Greater Lawrence (7-4) at Whittier (9-2) — Had things gone differently, this could have been the start of a two-game series, with the two meeting again next week in the Vocational Large Super Bowl. Alas, the Wildcats will continue on to that title game for the second year in a row and the Reggies fell in the semifinals. Whittier also won last year’s holiday matchup (24-21), after the Reggies had one 7 of the previous 8 in the series. Now, can the Wildcats slow Reggies 2,000-yard rusher Gustavo Varela? Can Greater Lawrence stop Whittier’s dangerous two-back attack of Noah Allen and Jay Vazquez? We shall see.
Prediction: Greater Lawrence 28, Whittier 27
Thursday’s Games
Central Catholic (7-4) at Lawrence (1-9) — After a trip to Fenway Park last year, the Battle for Lawrence returns to both teams’ home, Veterans Memorial Stadium. The Raiders are looking to shake off the pain of last week’s Division 1 semifinal loss to St. John’s Prep and end the season on a high note. Central is unbeaten in this rivalry, since it kicked off in 2015, but Lawrence did make things interesting two years ago (17-14 Central win). The Lancers played their best game since their opener two weeks ago, falling just short to Everett (19-14). But Central is angry after the playoff loss.
Prediction: Central Catholic 42, Lawrence 17
Dracut (2-8) at Methuen (7-3) — The Rangers have a chance to end 2025 with a real bang. Methuen regained its form after falling to Lowell in the tournament by pounding Arlington (36-13), and for the season are averaging 32.9 and allowing 18.4 points a game. It’s been another tough season for the Middies, who had lost eight straight before beating CAC foe Lowell Catholic (28-22 in OT). They’re scoring just 12.8 points and allowing 31.8 points a game, including a 33-6 loss to North Andover. Methuen last lost on Thanksgiving way back in 2017. That streak definitely won’t end.
Prediction: Methuen 44, Dracut 14
Haverhill (3-7) at Lowell (8-2) — A real tough matchup for the Hillies, who have dropped four straight. It’s been a breakthrough season for Lowell, which went from 4-7 last year to the Division 1 quarterfinals, beating Methuen in the tournament, before falling to powerful Springfield Central. The Red Raiders are scoring 33.4 points and surrendering 18.9 point a game. They’ve beaten Methuen (29-21), North Andover (43-7) and Lawrence (46-13). They Hillies have dropped three straight in the rivalry.
Prediction: Lowell 32, Haverhill 20
Saturday’s N.H. DI Championship Game
Pinkerton (8-3) vs. Bedford (11-0) at Stellos Stadium, Nashua — Can Pinkerton make it two Division I titles in a row? The defending champs are the underdog against a Bulldogs squad that has won all but one game by at least two touchdowns. Only Bishop Guertin (35-28) really pushed the Bulldogs, who the Astros shocked in the Division I semifinals last year (27-13). So revenge is in play.
Prediction: Bedford 28, Pinkerton 24
NOTE: Read lots more about the Division I state title game in Sunday’s Eagle-Tribune.
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