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ANDOVER | Andover needed a big win.

After dropping two of its last three games with a messy win over Dracut in the middle, the Golden Warriors finally came up with a clean victory, a 35-7 defeat of Haverhill last night on the new turf at Eugene V. Lovely Field.

BILLERICA | Andover tri-captain Sam Clark's frustration was clear.

"This team is down right now," said the linebacker. "We poured our hearts out for this one. We played a great game on both sides of the ball, but I have to give all the credit in the world to Billerica."

Ken Maglio was brutally honest about Kevin Hitchko.

"As a sophomore, we wanted to play him, but we were afraid because he was so small," said Maglio, whose Golden Warriors travel to Billerica Friday night for a pivotal Merrimack Valley Conference game.

ANDOVER | The collective sigh of relief was almost audible as the ball fell into Yogi Layne's hands.

"I saw the ball the whole way," said the junior. "I'm always going for the ball and I knew I wanted to make the play. If I didn't make the catch, I was going to knock it down."

BOSTON | The problem that plagued Andover last night was blatantly clear to coach Ken Maglio.

"We need to be able to make the big play when we need them," he said. "We need to get that big first down when we need it and we need to play better in the red zone."

NORTH ANDOVER | Andover quarterback and tri-captain Mike Pierce made it a point to pat most every defensive player on the back after last night's game.

"What more can you ask for than zero points," said the returning Eagle-Tribune All-Star. "We really came into our own late yesterday and it especially showed in the defense."

2006 record: 8-3

Returning starters (12): Zack Kutchin, Sr., C, 6-0, 245; JonLars Carlson, Sr., OG, 6-3, 235; Mike Pierce, Sr., QB/FS, 6-0, 203; Sam Clark, Sr., LB, 5-11, 207; Brendan Hughes, Sr, RB/SS, 5-9, 175; Peter Hanson, Sr., WR/LB, 6-0, 196; Matt Rayner, Sr., WR/DB, 5-11, 170; Derrick Beasley, Sr., WR/DB, 6-0, 170; Chris Abreu, Sr., RB/LB, 6-1, 191; Tripp Stevens Sr., LB, 6-1, 228; Mike Morander, Sr., TE/LB, 6-0, 185; Kevin Hitchko, Sr., DB/WR, 5-8, 155