To finish off the first drive of the game, Andover quarterback Bryan Farris ’08 found leaping Co-Captain Mike Ciummei ’08 in the corner of the end zone to complete the first score in a 45-17 thrashing of an overmatched Northfield Mount Hermon squad. The win on Saturday improved Andover’s undefeated record to 5-0, as the team shined under the lights of Phelps Stadium in front of a large home crowd. For the fourth time in five games, Andover scored on its very first drive. Wide-out and defensive back Ryan McCarthy ’08 made a solid return on the opening kickoff, giving the team great field position at midfield. After a few first-downs in the air and some big rushes by Thane Sanford ’08, the Andover offense reached the NMH 26-yard line. From there, Ciummei raced down the near sideline and beat his defender. Farris hit him perfectly in the back right corner of the end zone for the touchdown, and proceeded to hit the extra point for a 7-0 lead. Farris was 6 for 6 kicking extra points throughout the game. “Our passing offense was really clicking in the first half,” explained Kyle Rogers ’09. “Our pass blocking was giving Bryan time, and the receivers were getting open. It opened up a lot of plays and opportunities for our offense.” This became evident after a 17-yard punt return by Ciummei, when Andover again held great field position to start its second drive. After two important first-downs on the ground by Dan Evans ’08, Farris lobbed a huge 40-yard completion to McCarthy, who broke away from his defender and ducked under another one to reach the eight-yard line. On the very next play, Evans raced to his right behind strong blocking from the offensive line for Andover’s second touchdown. Evans said, “The line did a great job of blocking up front and opened up some great holes to run through. Also, with the passing game working so well, the running game is able to open up.” In the dwindling seconds of the first quarter, Farris hit a wide open McCarthy for the third touchdown of the game, giving Andover a commanding 21-0 lead. In the first quarter alone, Farris threw for 109 yards on six-for-eight passing; two of the completions resulted in touchdowns. With terrific blocking from offensive linemen Peter Schock ’08, Co-Captain Matt Gaske ’08, Bobby Vardaro ’10, Mike Bernieri ’10, Andrew Pohly ’09 and Dan Austin ’10, the Andover offense scored relatively easily throughout the game. “In the first half the line was giving me plenty of protection and gave me time to look down field and let the routes develop,” said Farris. “Once the receivers got through their routes I threw the ball, and [the offensive linemen] all did a great job of letting me hold onto the ball that little extra bit of time.” The defense came out with similar dominance, completely stuffing NMH’s running game up the middle. The defense did not even allow a first down until the second quarter. Early in the second quarter, Andover trapped the NMH offense on its own 10-yard line after great play by the special teams. Luke Miller ’08 read a screenplay from the NMH quarterback perfectly, intercepting the pass and trotting into the end zone for a 28-point lead. On the very next NMH possession, Co-Captain defensive back Chad Hollis ’08 maintained terrific positioning on his man, turning around just in time to see the ball and make the big interception. It was the sixth interception in the past two games for Andover. The offense scored twice more in the game, once on a 14-yard touchdown pass to Luke Duprey ’10. After entering halftime with a 35-8 lead, Andover managed the clock for the second half, winding down the time while only allowing one more NMH touchdown. This Saturday, Andover hopes to keep its undefeated season alive on the road at Deerfield.
