ANDOVER — It took just 14 seconds for Andover to fall behind, and the Golden Warriors were never able to recover.
Andover allowed a touchdown on the opening kickoff and, despite a rally, were never able to tie the score, falling to Merrimack Valley Conference Large foe Billerica 35-14 last night.
It was the third straight loss for the Golden Warriors (5-4) while the Indians, ranked No. 7 in Eastern Mass., improved to 8-1.
"We hated to give up that kickoff to start the game," said Andover interim head coach John Rex. "Then they went on another drive and added another score, and that was a very tough start."
For the third straight week, Andover fell behind by 14 points early, as Billerica followed up its kickoff return by holding Andover to a three-and-out and scoring another touchdown to make it 14-0.
"We need to be able to handle ourselves out of the gate," said Rex. "How about starting the game the right way? It's like we need a wake-up call to start playing. We need to work on that."
Superstar Billerica sophomore Nick LaSpada was a force, rushing for a game-high 117 yards and passing for 159 more and a score. The Golden Warriors were able to limit him to just 2 of 5 for 34 yards in the second half, but it was not enough.
After falling behind by the two scores, Andover mounted a comeback.
Golden Warriors 6-foot-4, 235-pound defensive lineman Kris Reimer picked off a screen pass and ran it 55 yards to the Billerica 20-yard line. Two plays later, John Hennessy hit Jimmy Johnson on a 19-yard touchdown pass.
The Indians responded with a touchdown, but a drive later Hennessy rushed twice for 46 yards, and fullback Brian Martin finished off the possession with a 2-yard plunge behind the block of defensive lineman-turned-fullback Jake Lebowitz (team-high 10 tackles) to make it 21-14 at the half.
"I really felt like we would drive down the field and tie the game in the second half," said Rex. "But it just didn't happen."
Andover's comeback hopes took a hit midway through the third when Hennessy left the game after suffering an injury diving to knock down a pass while playing defense. Backup Tom Dempsey finished 1-for-3 passing.
"They're going to check Hennessy tomorrow," said Rex. "It looks like an upper back injury, maybe a pull. I'm not sure."
Billerica added to their lead on a blocked punt, and ran out most of the fourth quarter on a 12-play touchdown drive. Andover was limited to just 86 yards rushing.
"We have two games left. We want to finish the season the right way. I have faith these kids can do it."
Billerica 35, Andover 14
Billerica (8-1):14âÇâÇ7âÇ7âÇ7 — 35
Andover (5-4):âÇ0âÇ14âÇ0âÇ0 — 14
First Quarter
D — James Holland 69 kickoff return (Henry Marin kick), 10:46
D — Christopher Clark 2 run (Marin kick), 5:30
Second Quarter
A — Jimmy Johnson 19 pass from John Hennessy (Kerrick Stevens kick), 5:17
D — Holland 17 pass from Nick LaSpada (Marin kick), 4:33
A — Brian Martin 2 run (Stevens kick), 2:02
Third Quarter
D — Chad Dellaporta recovers blocked punt in end zone (Marin kick), 6:33
Fourth Quarter
D — Holland 8 run (Marin kick), 5:31
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
RUSHING: A (21-86) — John Hennessy 5-49, Brian Martin 9-25, Nick Price 7-12; B (32-149) — Nick LaSpada 21-117
PASSING: A — Hennessy 10-21-2, 170, Tom Dempsey 1-3-0, 0; B — LaSpada 8-16-1, 159
RECEIVING: A — Jimmy Johnson 4-82, Brian Miller 3-54, Christian Lightner 3-34, Christopher McConnell 1-10; B — James Holland 4-66
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