NORTH ANDOVER – Ben Iglesias had to take a back seat to all-everything back Zach Wolinski last fall.
The schedule makers even made him wait an extra week this year as North Andover endured a Week 1 bye.
Friday night in the season opener, Iglesias made Dracut High pay for the delay, and he wasted no time doing it.
The senior ran for 141 yards and three touchdowns in the first half alone as the Knights’ spoiled Trevor Knight’s debut on the Middies’ sideline, 44-6.
“I was really happy to (finally) start it. This was a great experience. It’s humbling (not playing much last year). I want to prove myself. Every single week I want to prove myself,” said Iglesias, who also runs indoor track and plays baseball for the Knights.
“(I get) one year. Every game is special. I can’t take any game for granted. I’ve got to come out every single week, grind and do my best.”
This one was over quickly, with Igesias dashing for TDs of 33, 3 and 10 yards, and quarterback Billy Vincent banging in from 7 yards out all before Dracut could muster a first down.
“He bided his time, he’s been behind a good player basically his whole career with Wolinski,” said Knights coach John Dubzinski.
“We knew going into the season that he was going to be our primary back. He’s got all the intangibles. He’s great on his feet. He’s got great balance, he’s got great vision. He’s tough, he keeps his feet moving, and he’s got 4.5 speed. We’re blessed to have him.
“Just a high-character kid, always came to practice and worked hard. Played JV last year, and we even said he could probably start at half the high schools in Massachusetts. He handled it the right way, and now it’s paying off.”
The Middies first (of two) first-half firsts, came on a Knights personal foul with 3:11 left in the second quarter.
Vincent didn’t get many chances to show off the arm, but did throw a nasty 78-yard TD on the deep post to Jake Jackson inside the final minute of the first half, making it 32-0 at the break.
Both Iglesias, who finished his night with 222 yards on 22 carries, and Vincent added second-half TD runs.
“We just came out and did what we had to do,” said Vincent, the junior making his first varsity start.
“One game doesn’t determine the whole season, but we had a pretty darn good first game.”
North Andover 44, Dracut 6
First Quarter
NA — Ben Iglesias 33 run (pass failed)
NA — Iglesias 3 run (Nathan Wessel kick)
Second Quarter
NA — Billy Vincent 7 run (kick failed)
NA — Iglesias 10 run (Wessel kick)
NA — Jake Jackson 78 pass from Vincent (kick failed)
Third Quarter
NA — Iglesias 13 run (kick failed)
Fourth Quarter
NA — Vincent 8 run (kick failed)
D — Ben DeJesus 84 kick return (kick failed)
NORTH ANDOVER LEADERS
Rushing: Ben Iglesias 22-222, Billy Vincent 14-79, Adam Bernat 4-34, Austin Allen 1-11, Jeff LaVolpicello 1-14
Passing: Vincent 1-2, 78
Receiving: Jake Jackson 1-78