Sports
Knights Blow Out Peabody, Walsh Injured
Brandon Walsh left the game with a leg sprain, but his younger brother Casey stepped in and led the team to victory.
The good news is that the Knights won their eighth straight game and it once again came in blowout fashion as North Andover trounced the Tanners 35-10.
The bad news is that North Andover’s superstar quarterback was screaming violently in pain in the second quarter.
With the Knights up 21-10 in the second quarter, Walsh faked a handoff and slipped through the cracks of the Peabody defense. Walsh was wrapped up after gaining a first down but in the process, his left leg was crunched under the pile.
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Walsh let out a few violent screams before he was helped off the field. He would not return.
“There’s no news on Brandon right now,” said North Andover head coach John Rafferty. Walsh appears to have a sprain in his left thigh. He will have x-rays taken in the near future. Walsh was able to take snaps and drop back on the sideline before halftime, but his mobility was weak and his limp was obvious.
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The first quarter was a nightmare for the Peabody Tanners. John Iannone got the scoring underway with a five yard touchdown run. Ianonne, once again had over 20 carries and over 100 yards. He had 28 touches for 110 yards to be exact.
After a Peabody punt, Walsh set himself up nicely with a long run through the defense. He would then sneak through the pile on the goal line for a 13-0 lead.
Walsh snuck away from the defense again on North Andover’s third drive. He dashed down the left sideline for a 31 yard touchdown scamper. He was called in to kick the extra point but it was blocked. Walsh scooped up the blocked kick and returned it into the end zone for a two point conversion.
Even after Walsh’s injury, North Andover held its own. Walsh had put up 84 rushing yards on five attempts and was also three of four passing. His little brother Casey was waiting in the wings and had two and a half quarters to grow up a little.
Casey Walsh led the Knights on a long drive that concluded with a `6 yard scramble that gave the Knights their fourth touchdown.
Just before halftime, C. Walsh delivered a 12 yard pass to Brandon Lash to make it 35-10.
This sets up a meeting between Lynn English and North Andover next week. They are the only two remaining teams with unbeaten record in the NEC/CAL Tier 1. That game is in North Andover on Friday night and will be the last game before Thanksgiving.
