ANDOVER – It’s not always easy for defenders at Andover High to make a name for themselves with the usually-productive, wide-open E.J. Perry offense constantly grabbing attention.
But Warriors sophomore Matthew Lee did in Friday night’s 35-6 thrashing of Lowell High.
Lee tallied nine tackles, including two for losses from his outside linebacking position, on a day when Andover’s defense deserved big kudos.
Lee made two memorable tackles, both for losses, including one on Lowell’s bruising back Steven Many Mwanish. The other was probably the biggest – and loudest – of the game on the Lowell quarterback.
“I love those,” said Lee, who has given up his running back position for now to focus on defense and, of course, hitting.
“I love the contact,” said Lee. “That’s what your work hard for all offseason, to bring that to the games.”
Andover literally led the game from box-to-wire, with Marcus DeJesus zig-zagging through the line of scrimmage on the first offensive play for Andover, going 65 yards for the touchdown.
Andover sandwiched another touchdown, a 1-yard run by Connor Acheson, around two dominating defensive series by the Warriors.
Lowell closed it to 13-6 thanks to a screen pass that went 27 yards and then a 10-yard TD run.
But that was it for the Lowell offense as Andover snared four interceptions (Acheson, Will Dever and two from Ben Hnat). Andover also added a fumble recovery on a bobbled kickoff.
Lowell mustered just over 200 yards in offense for the game compared to Andover’s 342 yards.
Offensively, senior quarterback Dom Papa didn’t have his best game – 11 for 27, 2 interceptions, 2 TDs and 134 yards – but he was effective in the red zone and completed a 15-yarder for a first down on a fake punt.
Among Andover’s highly-touted receiving corps, Julius Martinez had six receptions for 80 yards, including a touchdown.
Five different players scored in all for the Warriors, including Nicholas Ilsley, Curtis Owell and Papa.
But this win was really about the defense.
“We are a team that needs all three phases to play well and we got that tonight,” said Andover head coach E.J. Perry. “It wasn’t a perfect game. But we’re learning. We’re a young team. We just need to build on this. We have some big ones ahead.”
Andover is now 3-0 following their opening loss to Pinkerton.
Next up is Methuen High, which comes to Lovely Field next Friday night.
Lee smiled standing near the 50-yard line after the game: “We can’t wait.”
You can email Bill Burt at bburt@eagletribune.com.