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Gemmell catches 4 TD passes in a half

ANDOVER — Throughout the week, Dan Gemmell was stuck on the sidelines, nursing the shoulder injury that had plagued him for weeks.
When Friday arrived, however, Gemmell was determined to be on the field.
“It was game day,” he said. “It was frustrating sitting out all week, but I did everything to prepare myself and I knew that I was going to play.”
Play Gemmell certainly did.
The dynamic receiver caught seven passes for 161 yards and four touchdowns, all in the first half, as Andover rolled over reeling former Merrimack Valley Conference power Chelmsford 41-7.
“Gemmell was unbelievable,” said quad-captain Arman Koul. “The moves he was putting on guys were crazy. He is the best athlete out there, and the best athlete was making the best plays. I believe he’s the best receiver in the league.”
Chelmsford was certainly in no position to disagree with Koul following Gemmell’s night.
The junior speedster opened the scoring with a 28-yard score, and midway through the second added a second 28-yard score — both matching his No. 28 jersey number.
But he saved his greatest plays for later in the quarter.
With 2:53 remaining in the second, E.J. Perry IV threw a swing out to Gemmell, who seemed to be stopped for a gain of about 15 yards. But Gemmell managed to shake not one, but two tacklers before juking two more on his way to a 40-yard TD.
“E.J. made a great read and called an audible,” said the very reserved Gemmell. “He threw me the ball and no one could stop me. It was great.”
He then capped the quarter with one more highlight-reel play on the final play before halftime. He caught a pass going along the sidelines, and as teammates yelled for him to step out, he turned on the jets and cruised 27 yards for a score. The starters did not play after halftime.
The four scores topped his career-high three-TD day in a victory over BC High in Week 3 this fall.
“The numbers are definitely fun to see,” he said. “But the win is what counts. We hit a bump last week against Central, and we needed this one. E.J. played a great game.”
Perry IV hit on 17 of his 23 throws for 285 yards and four scores, the other going to Cedric Gillette. He also had a TD called back for holding and another go off a receiver’s hands.
Koul led the way with eight tackles while Perry Wynn and Mikey Comeau each had a sack.
“That loss to Central Catholic hurt,” said Koul. “We wanted to come out and make a statement today, and we feel like we did it.”
Andover now awaits North Sectional playoff pairings.