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Rematch set: Football sets up semifinal clash with Prep, after dispatching Weymouth in quarters

david willis, andover townsman, mass.
·4 min read

Nov. 16—ANDOVER — The rematch that Andover High football has been targeting for more than a year is set.

And a trip to the Division 1 state title game is on the line.

Standing in the Golden Warriors' way is none other than St. John's Prep.

"We're coming for revenge!" said Andover linebacker Brian McSweeney. "We wanted this so bad after the tough loss to them (the Prep) last year. It's going to be great and go and compete against them for a chance to play for a state title. That's the goal."

No. 4-seeded Andover surged past No. 12 Weymouth 26-14 in the Division 1 quarterfinals Thursday night on a frigid Eugene V. Lovely Field.

The Golden Warriors (9-1) will now face top-seeded defending state champ St. John's Prep (10-0) in the Division 1 semifinals on Friday night (6 p.m.) at Woburn High School.

That's the same Prep team that knocked Andover out of the state tournament last year in the Division 1 quarterfinals, dealing the Warriors their only loss of the season.

"This feels amazing," said defensive back Connor LeBrun, who had the interception that all but clinched the game. "We got stopped last year in the same spot, on the same field, by St. John's. It's great we've made it to this point (to face the Eagles again), because we have worked our butts off to get here. It's awesome."

With a trip to the Division 1 semifinals on the line, Andover would not be denied on Friday.

"There was nothing that was going to stop us!" said McSweeney. "There was no team that was going to stop us. If we played our game, we knew we were going to get the job done."

The Golden Warriors advance to the Division 1 semifinals, for the first time since 2016, when the E.J. Perry IV-led Golden Warriors advanced to the then-Division 1 North Final, shocking St. John's in the semis, before falling to Everett.

Andover has never been to a true state championship game, under the current playoff system that was introduced in 2013.

Andover's defense was in command throughout on Friday. The Golden Warriors allowed just 73 total yards in the first half, allowing the offense to build a 16-0 lead, and 184 yards for the game.

"We were so confident going into any game," said LeBrun. "I don't think there's a team in the state that scares us. We go into the game pumped, and plan to win. Our defensive line was doing great stopping the power run. That made them pass, and we took care of it in the secondary."

Andover grabbed the lead on its second drive of the game, when QB Dom Papa connected with Brian Hnat on a 4-yard touchdown pass.

The Golden Warriors then forced a punt — with the big play a sack by defensive lineman Santiago Miranda — and Chris Dessin returned the kick to the 24-yard line. One play later, Andover ran a reverse to Jason DeJesus, who took it the 24 yards for the score.

Andover then forced a fumble, that was recovered by Patrick Cote, setting up a 23-yard Nate Bernardin field goal and a 16-point halftime lead.

The Warriors then erased just about any hope at a comeback on their first possession of the second half. Papa hit DeJesus on a short slant, and the senior receiver took it 93 yards to the Weymouth 4-yard line. Two plays later, Berger powered in for a 1-yard score.

Weymouth posted two scores, then forced an Andover turnover, but LeBrun locked down the win with his ninth interception of the season.

"It was a little fade route," said LeBrun. "I saw it and jumped it. That was awesome."

Berger led the Golden Warriors with 133 rushing yards, while Papa threw for 172 yards.

"This senior class has been through everything and come through with flying colors," said Andover head coach E.J. Perry. "I'm very happy with the way the defense played today, guys like (Will) Dever and McSweeney. and Berger played awesome. We're excited about the Final Four, and we'll be ready next week."

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Andover 26, Weymouth 14

Division 1 Quarterfinals

Weymouth: 0 0 8 6 — 14

Andover: 13 3 7 3 — 26

First Quarter

A — Brian Hnat 4 pass from Dom Papa (Nate Bernardin kick), 4:30

A — Jason DeJesus 24 run (pass failed), 1:28

Second Quarter

A — Bernardin 23 field goal, 3:51

Third Quarter

A — Dante Berger 1 run (Bernardin kick), 7:46

W — Anthony Smith 1 run (Brendan Farrow pass from Andrew DelGallo), 0:52

Fourth Quarter

A — Bernardin 24 field goal, 10:33

W — Mike Farrow 8 pass from Tyler Nordstrom (pass failed), 6:22

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

RUSHING: Andover — Dante Berger 20-133, Jason DeJesus 1-24, Dom Papa 9-24

PASSING: Andover — Papa 8-20-0, 172

RECEIVING: Andover — DeJesus 2-100, Brian Hnat 4-49, Chris Dessin 2-23

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