Karen Magnifico
Masco vs North Andover rivalry cup that is presented to the winner each year.
NORTH ANDOVER – In their first meeting since 2015, Masconomet and North Andover renewed their rivalry Friday night, but it was Masco coming out easily on top, 43-22.
Dating back to 1975, Masco played North Andover every Thanksgiving until 2015, and both teams were thrilled to rehash this rivalry. A cup is presented to the winner of the game each year, with the year, score, and winner engraved on its plaque. The cup was brought to this game and ended up going home with the Chieftains.
“It was a big game, and that was the reason we scheduled it. There is a long tradition with North Andover and Masconomet,” said head coach Patrick Sheehan. “Coach [Steve] Bunker reminded me that they used to call North Andover the evil empire because if you look at one side of the plaque on the cup, almost every single year North Andover took it, but at the end of Jim Pugh’s career, Masco started to spin it.”
Despite this game having a lot at stake, Masco had the lead from the opening whistle and never looked back, riding their bell cow to victory. Senior captain running back Jack Fabiano took nine carries for 157 yards and 4 scores, averaging an astounding 17.5 yards per carry, while only playing a drive into the third quarter. Fabiano’s lone rush of the second half was a 30-yard rushing touchdown to begin the third quarter, and he leads the North Shore with ten touchdowns through three games.
As outstanding as Fabiano was, he wasn’t getting touched by the defensive line or really anyone else until around seven yards downfield. The offensive line was the MVP of this contest, creating gaping holes in the Knights’ defense.
“The offensive line played its best game in a year and a half,” said Sheehan. “They were physically dominant, their technique was impeccable, we were getting off the ball quickly, and obviously, Jack Fabiano is a great running back. But it didn’t matter who was carrying the ball tonight; the offensive line came to play tonight.”
Unfortunately for Masco, their start to the season has been riddled with linemen injuries. Due to these injuries, sophomore guard Caden McCarthy got the nod and was exceptional.
“It was a truly amazing experience. I’m very appreciative of the other linemen supporting me and helping me with my first start,” said McCarthy. “The run game was very strong, we were very quick off the ball, and Jack [Fabiano] really just did his thing. I was so grateful that I was able to step in and help the team win a big game.”
McCarthy held his own, as did the rest of the line, dominating the Knights’ front seven.
“Working together as a team and focusing on our assignments was crucial,” said McCarthy.
This game wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for the Chieftains early on. North Andover sophomore quarterback Austin Allen was crushing the Masco defense with his legs, keeping the Knights within one possession the whole first half. Masco was having trouble containing the speed of Allen when he scrambled out of the pocket in the first half. However, that changed quickly. After making adjustments at halftime, Allen and the Knights couldn’t move the ball in the slightest in the second half.
“The biggest difference would be staying disciplined, doing our jobs, and cleaning up on the penalties,” said senior middle linebacker Connor Mitchell. Mitchell is a fantastic tackler for the Chieftains and has an elite football IQ, which has him leading the defense in the middle.
The Chieftains will have the true testament to just how good they can be when they square off against Winchester next week.
“Winchester is a good team, it’s gonna be a gritty game, and we have to play great team defense, having trust in each other,” said Mitchell.
Quarterback Drew Gustafson had a solid game for the Chieftains, as he found wide receiver Liam Ginley for a 28-yard touchdown right before half. Gustafson and Ginley had a great connection on Friday night, with Gustafson going six for ten with 113 yards and a touchdown. Ginley had four catches for 69 yards, a touchdown, and a two-point conversion.
With the starters pulled in the third quarter, many players got good time and great reps. Sophomore quarterback Trip Weidman, who is the only non-senior starter on defense, did well with the read option in the fourth quarter, running hard eight times for 66 yards. Sophomore cornerback Ben Gaudin was tasked with defending a deep ball to a tall receiver, and he came down with an excellent pass breakup.
Massachusetts high school football fans have had next Friday circled on their calendar for some time now for the much-anticipated battle between Masco and Winchester. With each team having strong defenses and top-tier running backs, it will be a battle at Winchester High School with a 6:30 kickoff.
Masco 43, North Andover 22
Scoring:
First Quarter
M – Jack Fabiano 16 run (Fabiano rush)
M – Fabiano 22 run (Drew Gustafson to Liam Ginley pass
NA – Tommy Farrell 17 pass from Austin Allen (Allen rush)
Second Quarter
M – Fabiano 8 run (rush failed)
NA – Marcus Peralta 9 run (Allen kick)
M – Ginley 28 pass from Gustafson (Nico Cefalo kick)
Third Quarter
M – Fabiano 30 run (Cefalo kick)
M – Alex Cantalupo 1 run (Cefalo kick)
Fourth Quarter
NA – Will Gray 26 pass from Allen (Allen kick)
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing:
M – Jack Fabiano 9-157, Drew Gustafson 3-27, Alex Cantalupo 4-23, Trip Weidman 8-66, Tyler Durgan 3-12, Kieran Kilmer 1-6, Jack Engel 4-20;
NA – Austin Allen 16-125, Marcus Peralta 5-24, Dave DePrizio 9-39, Jakobe Osborne 2-16, Darren Bernat 7-25
Passing:
M – Gustafson 6-10-2, 113 yards
NA – Allen 10-18-0, 100 yards
Receiving:
M – Liam Ginley 4-69, Cal Weidman 2-44
NA – Dan Thompson 3-12, Peralta 2-9, Will Gray 1-26, Tommy Farrell 4-54