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New-look Andover High doing it with defense

Friday, September, 22 By By Bill Burt
Sports editor

LAWRENCE — This post-E.J. Perry IV world is going to take some time to adjust to at Andover High. At least on offense.

But defensively, Andover High has already moved on and is off to the races, literally, as the Golden Warriors pounded Lawrence High, 34-2, at Veterans Memorial Stadium last night.

Andover High defensive end and senior captain, Payton Heidtke, got the winners rolling by returning a fumble 48 yards for the eventual score and 10-0 lead. At least that's how it is written in the boxscore.

Heidtke literally pulled the ball from the Lawrence High running back, in the middle of a scrum, and then took off.

"I just ran with it and kept looking ahead," said the 6-2, 245-pound bruiser. "I'm not really noted for my speed. I looked around and saw a guy about three yards behind me. I was surprised he didn't catch me. It was the first time I ever scored, other than rugby."

While Andover had one of the most electric offenses in the state the last three years with Perry at quarterback, it is still trying to find its way.

Senior Nick Dellatto, a lefty, has done an admirable job the last two weeks. At one point he was 9-for-13 in the first half, hitting Cedric Gillette (7 receptions, 57 yards) on an easy 5-yard pass over the middle for a touchdown. 

Andover went ahead 24-0 after a Nick Zalanskas blocked punt in the end zone and was recovered by Austin Lee for a touchdown. Lee had two fumble recoveries on the game.

As for Lawrence High, it couldn't consistently move the ball. It was able to complete only 4 of 12 passes in the first half and 4 of 15 passes in the second half.

Other than two early sacks by Anthony Martinez and a sack in the end zone by Eric Sanchez for a safety, there weren't many highlights for the Lancers.

In fact, they finished with five turnovers, including three fumbles and two interceptions.

"I'm really happy the way our defense is developing," said coach E.J. Perry III. "We had a dear-in-the-headlights look in our opener. The second game we played a real good, physical game against a physical team. Tonight, (the defense) started coming into its own."

As for the offense, well, it's a work in progress.

"We were a little sloppy in the first quarter, got things going a little bit in the second and third quarter," said Perry. "But there wasn't a sense of urgency in the fourth quarter. We need that. We just can't waste possessions because we have a lead. We aren't good enough to do that yet."

Dellatto finished by completing 12 of 19 passes for 163 yards and one interception.

A sleeper performer last night was sophomore kicker Shamus Florio, who made two field goals, including a 42-yarder as the first half expired.

 "When we look at the film I think I'll like what I see on defense," said Perry. "We need work on offense. If we can get that going, we can get everything in place to be a pretty good team."

Andover, now 2-1, plays host to Lowell on Friday night at 7 p.m. Winless Lawrence plays at North Andover on Friday night, too.