LAWRENCE — Despite solely holding the beginning quarterback job for 2 weeks, Dominic Papa seems to be like a pure.
Papa totaled three second-half touchdowns whereas Sean Napolitano had 3.5 sacks as a part of an Andover protection that pressured a pair of turnovers because the Golden Warriors defeated Central Catholic, 22-20, on Friday night time at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
It is the second straight victory for Andover over Central Catholic and it awards them the inaugural ‘Captain’s Cup.’
“The defense was the MVP of this game. They put me in the best positions possible,” Papa mentioned. “My line played amazing and allowed me the cushion to get the ball to our best players.”
Central Catholic (2-5) held a 6-0 lead on the half and an opportunity to double its lead early within the third quarter, however Papa led his workforce on a seven-play drive that culminated in his 11-yard scramble for a landing to place the guests on prime 7-6.
The Golden Warriors then recovered the following squib kick, permitting Papa to as soon as once more engineer a scoring drive, this one capped off by an eight-yard landing rush for the junior quarterback to push the result in 15-6 after a profitable two-point strive. An interception by James Flagg helped Andover preserve its lead into the fourth.
Central Catholic obtained again inside a rating on a 25-touchdown reception from Drew Alsup, however with 10:20 remaining Papa got here by means of with the play of the sport. He escaped the push, then ducked below a Central defender earlier than getting exterior and heaving the ball down area to Andrew Walles, who dashed house for a 51-yard rating and a 22-13 lead.
Papa’s three scores got here after he threw an interception to start out the second half.
“My line has been doing an amazing job all week and on that play I got outside,” Papa mentioned. “I saw that (Andrew) was adjusting up field and I just threw it up there to let him make a play.”
Central Catholic obtained again inside one possession on a Jaxon Pereira six-yard landing rush however the Golden Warriors picked up a clutch first down to empty the clock earlier than Napolitano got here by means of with the game-clinching sack as time expired.
Source: www.bostonherald.com