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2008 Power Players, Week 11

Brian Miller, Andover: The sophomore basketball standout continues to grow as a receiver. Against Methuen, the 6-foot, 170-pounder made two catches for 45 yards and a 25-yard touchdown from John Hennessy (200 passing yards).

Coaches' Corner: Keri Forrest, North Reading Volleyball

The North Reading girls volleyball team has grown into a powerhouse. The Hornets, who are fed by TWO JV squads, won the Division 3 state championship last year, and have advanced to at least the North finals each of the past six years.

Stunning late drive sends Pinkerton to title game

DERRY, N.H. — Pinkerton’s Colton Desmarais grabbed for the ball in traffic, clung to it as a fell to the ground, then held it over his head in celebration as he was mobbed by his teammates.

North Reading stunned by Millis

HUDSON — North Reading players lined up on the service line, all in disbelief, as underdog Millis was awarded the Division 3 state championship plaque.

After dropping the first two games, North Reading mounted a comeback, but the Hornets fell victim to some costly mistakes as the Mohawks took the crown 25-20, 25-23, 21-25, 25-21.

One step short of perfection

HUDSON — It serves as another step up the ladder for the Central Catholic volleyball program, but that doesn’t stop the pain.

The Raiders were swept by Medfield, 25-18, 25-18, 25-14 in the Division 2 State final yesterday afternoon, marking the only blemish on an otherwise flawless campaign.

Rivera keeps Greater Lawrence rolling

WEST ANDOVER — If Angel Rivera was going to decide the outcome, he knew that it would take a blessing from above.

“Before I got the ball, I just prayed to my parents,” said Rivera of his mother and father, who have both passed away. “I pray to them all the time.”

On the Verge: Halfback Verge's career day leads Pinkerton

DERRY, N.H. —  Pinkerton’s Colby Verge needed only two carries — two carries — to change the fate of two teams’ seasons.

The senior halfback rushed the ball only twice, for touchdowns of 43 and 40 yards. The second, with 44 seconds left in the game, gave the Astros a 19-15 victory over Londonderry and their fifth straight trip to the Division 1 state championship.

Whittier clinches playoff berth in shutout win

LYNN — For the second time in two weeks, head coach Kevin Bradley was treated to a Gatorade shower by a few of his celebratory players.

“You know, the feeling is fantastic. It never gets old. I could take this all the time,” Bradley said.

Pelham to defend Div. 5 title

PELHAM, N.H. — “We got one more. We got one more.”

Right after the post-game handshake following a convincing 28-6 victory over fourth-seeded Kearsarge yesterday, Pelham standout Bruce Vieira reminded his teammates there was more work to be done. Not really a surprise from someone who backed up his amped-up behavior on the field with visions of success both on a short- and long-term basis.

Pelham to defend Div. 5 title

PELHAM, N.H. — “We got one more. We got one more.”

Right after the post-game handshake following a convincing 28-6 victory over fourth-seeded Kearsarge yesterday, Pelham standout Bruce Vieira reminded his teammates there was more work to be done. Not really a surprise from someone who backed up his amped-up behavior on the field with visions of success both on a short- and long-term basis.

Flags spoil Timberlane title bid in semis

PLAISTOW, N.H. –  On a playoff day where points were at a premium, Timberlane Regional left two scores on the field.

Methuen keeps rolling

METHUEN — Judging by the tears Methuen’s Justin Marsan was pushing away from his red eyes after the game, this was not just another win for the Rangers.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve been here,” said the emotional Marsan. “From where we were the last few years, you would never think that we would be back to where we are now. It is just overwhelming.”

Pentucket runs away from North Andover

NORTH ANDOVER — The start certainly wasn’t a tip-off to the finish.

Both Pentucket and North Andover had its offenses clicking from the get-go. Scarlet Knight freshman quarterback Brandon Walsh and wideout Aaron Brunette were an unstoppable team while the special teams created excellent field position. On the other side, the offensive line for the Sachems made stars of the backfield while converting almost every third- and fourth-down attempt, giving the Green a 20-14 edge at the break.

Pentucket runs away from North Andover

NORTH ANDOVER — The start certainly wasn’t a tip-off to the finish.

Both Pentucket and North Andover had its offenses clicking from the get-go. Scarlet Knight freshman quarterback Brandon Walsh and wideout Aaron Brunette were an unstoppable team while the special teams created excellent field position. On the other side, the offensive line for the Sachems made stars of the backfield while converting almost every third- and fourth-down attempt, giving the Green a 20-14 edge at the break.

Inspired Lawrence destroys Haverhill

HAVERHILL - Awash in a week of tumult, anger, confusion and disappointment, Mike Yameen wondered how his Lawrence High football team would respond at Haverhill last night. The 27-point opening quarter pretty much answered the question.

“Take our wins, but you can’t take away our pride,” said the Lancer coach after his inspired gridders devoured Haverhill, 46-12, last night.

Earlier in the week, the Haverhill administration reported the Lancers’ use of an ineligible player, costing Lawrence its second most prolific season since the 1980s.

“All that was going on, we all took it personally, and we showed it on the field,” said senior quarterback Ramon Heredia, who threw a pair of long TD bombs and ran 31 yards for a third touchdown, all before the final whistle of the first quarter was blown.

“It bothered us. We were definitely bothered by the timing of the whole thing,” added senior Demetri Brown, on the receiving end of the first two scores, one a 50-yarder and the other 55. “They took our year away. We were going to come out and do it for him.”

In hindsight, it might have been a strategic mistake by Haverhill, one that galvanized the opposition behind the cause.

Coach Tim Briggs, whose Hillies fell to 1-8, disagreed. “The stuff that went down this week is called integrity. There are rules for a reason,” said Briggs. “Quite frankly, it wasn’t something that Haverhill did other than read in the newspaper that one of their friends, with the class that graduated last year, is still playing. I’d like to have Justin Cook and all those guys back this year too.”

The added motivation, combined with a slew of Hillie injuries, turned this one into an ugly mismatch just minutes in. Heredia simply ran wild, chewing up 76 yards on six carries - three for touchdowns - while hitting 10 of 17 passes for 202 yards. Brown led the pass catchers with five for 137 yards.

Haverhill show a bit of life when Tim Nutter hit nifty Noel Figuereo on an 81-yard bomb, but the joy was only temporary.

Heredia answered untouched on a 31-yard TD sweep, and his senior classmate Dimar “Tiger” Torres struck the knockout punch, picking off a pass and dashing 42 yards to paydirt for a 27-6 lead with 2:08 left in the first.

Up 33-6 at halftime, Heredia ran for his second score, a seven-yarder midway through the third, prompting the Lawrence bench to empty for an impromptu dance in the Haverhill end zone, one that was greeted by an unsportsmanlike conduct call.

Linebackers Harvey Blanco, Donea Robinson and Steve Mannion anchored a Lancer defense that allowed Haverhill 160 yards on 39 carries but pounced on four turnovers.