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Block kick does the trick for Phillips

GILL — With its lead cut to just a single score early in the third quarter, Phillips needed a momentum shift.

So in stepped Eric Meller and Brendan Rankowitz.

Following a Northfield Mount Hermon touchdown, Meller broke through to block the extra point, and Rankowitz picked up the loose ball and ran it 102 yards for two points, sending the Big Blue on their way to a 36-20 victory yesterday.

“The blocked extra point was a big swing,” said Phillips coach Leon Modeste. “They score, then Brendan runs that back, then we respond with another big score.”

On the following Big Blue possession, Jason Buco of Methuen hauled in a 63-yard touchdown pass from Tommy Shannon of Andover.

It was another big day for Buco, an Eagle-Tribune All-Star a season ago, catching three passes for 147 yards. Ben Green added two grabs for 83 yards and Joe Kruy notched a team-high 90 rushing yards on 13 carries and scored twice.

Star linebacker Tom Szymanski led the defense with 12 tackles and a sack, while also rushing for 66 yards and a couple scores.

“We needed a good win,” said Modeste. “We went out early, grabbed a good lead and hung on. It was a lot nicer for the long bus ride home.”