NORTH ANDOVER – When North Andover High and Haverhill High hit the Walsh Stadium turf on Saturday morning for the first scrimmage of the 2025 football season, one team – the Hillies – expected to be searching for a new quarterback, while the other – the Knights – banked on the experienced veteran behind center.
A devastating injury during club lacrosse to North Andover senior incumbent QB Billy Vincent has changed all that. Rookie head coach Matt Cerullo’s new offense is now in the hands of Austin Allen.
And the junior, who led the JV team and saw bits and pieces of varsity time in 2024, says his football team is ready to go.
“The whole summer, we’ve been working hard as a team. We’re young, but there’s a lot of talent, energy and leadership in this group,” said Allen, whose dad, Aaron, played hoop and baseball for the Knights back in the day.
“We’re going into this season confident. I can’t wait.”
Vincent, as a junior, was part of a two-headed backfield running tandem with Ben Iglesias that helped keep the Knights in games. Vincent scored the game-winning TD in the Thanksgiving Eve over rival Andover.
But the injury thrust Allen into the spotlight. And the junior is ready.
“I expected to play last year when it looked like Billy wasn’t going to play. I came in looking to compete for the job. He decided to play and won the job, so I took it day by day. I played pretty good on JV and just tried to get better every day,” said Allen. “Now, I’m getting my opportunity, and I’m going to do my best with it.”
The Hillies’ scrimmage Saturday represents opportunity No. 1, not just for the new QB but for the new-look Knights.
“Saturday, it gives us a chance to see new personnel, seeing how the offense works. It’s exciting to compete,” Allen said.
“The whole offense is pretty much new. Coach Cerullo is a great leader.”