RallyNorth.net

Dracut Middies Football '18

Methuen, Dracut

 

METHUEN — As the wind chill dipped under 20 degrees Wednesday night, the Methuen High fans were bundled and cold at Nicholson Stadium, and many of his teammates were shivering on the sideline.

Read More »
Football, 11/21/18 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars

Gabin sparks North Andover

 Jeff Hamrick

sports@eagletribune.com

DRACUT – Freddy Gabin didn’t have a carry until the third game of the season, but once he saw playing time he proved he belonged in the North Andover backfield mix. Friday night, the junior showed he has no problem being the main man. Blasting for three long touchdowns highlighted by both power and speed, Gabin scored on three long first-half touchdowns as the Scarlet Knights clinched the MVC Division 2 title with a convincing 40-21 victory over Dracut. After rushing for 277 yards in his first two outings while sharing the load with Darren Watson, who was out with a dislocated shoulder, Gabin finished with 273 yards. He had two scoring runs of 49 yards and another of 56 among his first eight attempts as the Knights grabbed an early 19-7 lead. “It kind of felt like the last two games when I was dominant,” said Gabin, who moved the chains on 14 of his 26 carries. “But there wasn’t anything different. I felt like I belonged out there, so I was ready. “That (273) felt nice. I mean it’s progressing every game. The coaches tell me to keep my head up, and if I keep working on fundamentals I can get better every game.” North Andover (3-0 MVC, 6-0 overall) exploded out of the gate, taking a 13-0 lead on Gabin’s pair of 49 yarders, the second of which came on a play Gabin appeared stopped after a short gain with 4:42 left in the first. After a 74-yard Dracut drive cut the lead to six, Gabin went 56 yards two plays later as the Knights opened a 19-7 lead. “We knew this was going to be a dog fight,” North Andover coach John Dubzinski said. “They are a very good team. I think we came out with a good spark on offense. Freddy ran great, the offensive line blocked well and (quarterback) Jake (McElroy) did a perfect job managing the game.” McElroy provided the game-winning score on a 1-yard sneak early in the third. Michael Difo (2-yarder) and Mark Federico (8-yarder) had the final two rushing touchdowns as the Knights finished with 351 yards on the ground. “We have so many options, you just can’t stop all of us,” Gabbin said. Dracut scored twice in the second half on a pair of Devin Lambert to Cameron McCullough passes of 72 and 68 yards. “I think (four 15-yard) penalties had something to do with it,” Dubzinski said of the defensive lapses. “We had a roughing the passer on third-and-long and they scored (two plays later). Penalties will kill you no matter what. (The Middies) were physical. Holding them to 14 going into the final quarter isn’t perfect, but it’s not bad.” Watson is expected to return to practice this week as North Andover prepares for Billerica in a final tune up before the Division 2 playoffs. “He hurt his shoulder on the third play of the game (in Week 5 against Chelmsford) on a block,” Dubzinski said of Watson. “We held him out and we’ll see going forward. (Gabin) did a great job. He waited his turn. It’s a great example for young kids who might not be starting at the beginning of the year. When your number is called, you have to be ready.”

Read More »
Football, 10/12/18 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars