North Andover’s 27-26 Thriller Secures Playoff Spot

North Andover defeated Lowell, 27-26, on Friday night to end a seven-year drought of entering the MIAA playoffs with a winning record. The Scarlet Knights finished the regular season with a 5-3 mark, their first winning record since the 2019 campaign. This victory ensures they will compete in the Division 2 postseason, though they fell just short of earning a first-round home game as the No. 9 seed.

The game remained tight until the final seconds of the fourth quarter. Lowell had taken a 26-21 lead late in the third quarter, but North Andover responded with a methodical drive that ended with a touchdown pass to Austin Allen. Allen, the senior quarterback, plunged into the end zone with 16 seconds remaining to secure the win. The drive included key contributions from Marcus Peralta, Dan Fitzgerald, and Jason Meaney, who carried the team’s offense with speed and agility.

Sophomore tailback Jason Meaney was instrumental in shifting momentum. He caught a screen pass from Allen in the second quarter and evaded multiple defenders for a 43-yard touchdown. Coach Matt Cerullo credited Meaney’s work ethic in the weight room during his freshman year for his current performance. The coach noted that Meaney runs with intensity and has exceeded expectations set at the start of the season.

Defensive stops proved decisive in the closing minutes. Free safety Will Gray made a critical stop in the hole to deny Lowell a 2-point conversion after a late third-quarter score. In the fourth quarter, Jakobe Osborne recorded a fourth-down sack that halted a promising Lowell drive, giving North Andover possession with less than four minutes left on the clock.

Cerullo, a former standout defensive back at Lawrence, expressed confidence in his team’s ability to compete in the playoffs. He stated that the team is a tough Middlesex County team that lost close games to Chelmsford and Billerica during the regular season. The coach told his players that they did not need to be the most skilled team in the tournament to earn an invitation, a sentiment that resonated with the squad heading into the postseason.

North Andover will open its playoff run against Bishop Feehan. The team’s preparation focused on improving edge blocking, which allowed players like Fitzgerald and senior David DePrizio to create space for the running game. This tactical adjustment helped the Scarlet Knights sustain drives and manage the clock effectively in high-pressure situations.

The result marks a turning point for a program that has struggled to maintain a winning record in recent years. The 5-3 finish places them firmly in contention within the Division 2 power rankings. The team’s success stems from a balanced approach that combines athletic ability from key players with disciplined execution on both sides of the ball.

As the regular season concludes, North Andover heads to the playoffs with momentum and a renewed sense of identity. The 27-26 victory over Lowell serves as a statement of the team’s resilience and depth. The Scarlet Knights are ready to face Bishop Feehan in their first postseason game of the year.