NORTH ANDOVER — Zac Iovanella was given the keys to the offense and the Scarlet Knights jumped on board to assist him shift the gears.
Facing a Medford team which plays in the Greater Boston League, which is three divisions above the Cape Ann League, the Knights tried Iovanella with all sorts of misdirection plays in the first half before finally coasting to a 27-18 victory.
"We had a good week of practice in getting our techniques down," emphasized wide receiver senior Christopher Buco. "Tonight was a wake-up call, especially in the second half, for what we can do."
The Knights welcomed back Iovanella from an ankle injury and he proclaimed himself 100 percent after the game. Head coach John Rafferty threw his star at the baffled Mustangs with slants and sweeps until winless Medford was forced to focus almost exclusively on the slippery back.
Although Iovanella's numbers (28 carries, 126 yards) were impressive enough, they don't begin to show the effect he had on the game.
"Iovanella reads on the go and is capable of going inside or outside," said Rafferty. "He has a great first step."
There were noticeable contributions available by the rest of the offense as Medford scurried all over the field looking for Iovanelli.
" (Quarterback) Brandon Walsh has some good runs," Rafferty noted, "and our kicker (Dylan Lurvey) is really improving in his first year kicking. That's a luxury many other teams don't have."
Lurvey hit 3 of 4 extra point kicks and added a 42-yard punt with no return.
As for Walsh, Iovanella added, "Brandon will be great and he's only a freshman."
The Knights play Staples of Westport, Conn., next week in North Andover. Staples has four class state titles in Connecticut.
"Our biggest challenge is the defense knowing their assignments," said Iovanella, "but I expect we can give them a game."
North Andover 27, Medford 18
Medford (0-5)01206—18
North Andover (2-3)67140—27
First Quarter
NA — Christopher Buco 2 run (kick failed), 8:03
Second Quarter
M — Giovani Sanders 67 punt return (kick blocked), 7:50
NA — Zac Iovanella 1 run (Dylan Lurvey kick), 2:21
M — Michael Sullivan, 13 run (run failed), 0:46
Third Quarter
NA — Iovanella 6 run (Lurvey kick), 7:01
NA SEmD Iovanella 5 run (Lurvey kick), 1:19
Fourth Quarter
M SEmD Sanders 50 pass from Sullivan (pass failed)
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
RUSHING: M (27-100) — Sullivan 6-28, Sanders 1-21, Joe Gagliardi 9-16, Dennis Barnwell 5-16, James Marino 3-10, Patrick Barry 3-9; NA (41-180) — Iovanella 28-126, Buco 7-24, Juan Areces 3-16, Jack Murphy 2-5, Brandon Walsh 1- 9
PASSING: M — Sullivan 10-20-0, 134; NA — Iovanella 3-5-0, 65
RECEIVING: M — Sanders 3-90, Shawn McDonald 2-27, Jared Melio 3-16, Juan Lopez 2-1; NA — Aaron Brunette 2-55, Murphy 1-10
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