Lexington Dodges First Half Andover Scare, Moves On In Football

LEXINGTON, MA -- Lexington (8-0) defeated Andover (3-5) 52-33 Friday night -- but not before overcoming its first deficit of the season -- to advance to the second round of the MIAA high school football playoffs. In the second round of the Division I North playoffs, Lexington will host third-seeded Everett (7-0), which defeated sixth-seeded St. John's Prep (3-5) 49-14 Friday night. That game will be played on Friday, November 3 at 6 pm.

Seventh-seeded Andover gave second-seeded Lexington an early scare. At the end of the first quarter, Andover led 13-7, marking the first time all season Lexington had trailed. Lexington responded by opening the second quarter with the first of Ben Quint's three touchdowns, a 61-yard reception that put the Minutemen ahead 14-13.

On its next possession, Andover took the lead again with a 24-yard field goal by Shamus Florio that made the score 16-13. Lexington fumbled the kick-off, and Andover was threatening an upset when it took possession at the Lexington 27-yard-line.

Andover went four-and-out. Lexington took over on its own 27-yard lane and on its first play, Quint broke free for a 73-yard touchdown to make it 21-16. That was followed by strip sack by Luke Butler and a fumble recovery by Will Thomas, who ran it to the Andover 25 with 31 second left. The Minutemen converted that turnover into a 48-yard field goal by Duncan Hewitt to take a 24-16 halftime lead.

Andover attacked with its ground game ad cut the lead with a 21-yard field goal by Florio that made it 24-19 midway through the third quarter. On its next drive, Lexington had two touchdowns called back on penalties. Andover's Vince Bono sacked Sal Frelick on third down, but Lexington went for it on fourth. A 20-yard reverse pass from wide receiver Anthony Bianchi to quarterback Frelick was good for another touchdown, extending Lexington's lead to 31-19.

After that, Lexington pulled away. Quint and Frelick split four rushes to move 63 yards, capping the drive with Quint's third touchdown on a 14-yard run. On Andover's next possession, Quint intercepted the ball, setting up a Bianchi touchdown reception that made it 45-19.

Photo by Lexington High School.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).