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LYNNFIELD | Zac Iovanella appears to be finding his comfort zone at precisely the right time for North Andover. But the sophomore tailback will be the first to admit that his contribution during this season is more than he expected.

NORTH ANDOVER | Steve Boudreau went 8-for-8 passing on North Andover's first two series. Mixed with the Scarlet Knights' traditional running attack, North Andover scored on both long scoring drives and took the wind out of Triton's sails.

NORTH ANDOVER | North Andover played like a spoiled kindergartener at recess refusing to give up his precious football.

The Scarlet Knights owned the pigskin against a game but overmatched North Reading squad, grinding out a convincing 13-0 victory for their second straight victory while ending the Hornets' three-game winning streak.

NORTH ANDOVER | The Ipswich High football team finally found some offense in its third game of the season.

Unfortunately, host North Andover had a little bit more.

Despite four touchdowns (3 rushing, 1 receiving) from Jimmy Cadogan, the Tigers fell for the third time in as many games, dropping a 40-27 decision to the Scarlet Knights at Walsh Stadium.

Football has taken John Rafferty from New England to New York and back.

The North Andover coach, 53, grew up in Wakefield, where he starred as a schoolboy, and eventually earned a scholarship to Syracuse.

HAMILTON | It was hard to tell who had worked harder, sweat more or was more exhausted at game's end.

On the one hand, you had Nate Masterson. A senior captain for the Hamilton-Wenham football team, Masterson scored two touchdowns, booted a 40-yard field goal and scored all 16 of his team's points against North Andover.

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."

NORTH ANDOVER | Despite their considerable optimism for the upcoming season, neither Matt Burckhardt nor Steve Boudreau is going to duck, side step, juke or simply avoid the question of what a daunting void has been created with Andrew Foote's graduation.

2006 record: 7-4

Returning starters (4): Andrew Bogosian, Sr., OL/DL, 6-1 225; Steve Boudreau, Sr., QB/DB, 6-1, 185; Matt Burckhardt, Sr., FB/LB, 6-0, 190; Nick Faucher, Sr., WR/DB, 6-3, 190