Sports
Longley Weighs In on Knights' Move to MVC
Athletic Director Jon Longley gave his thoughts on North Andover's move from the Cape Ann League to the Merrimack Valley Conference.
On Thursday, which features soon-to-be rivals Central Catholic, Lawrence, and Andover.
Also on Thursday, North Andover High School Athletic Director Jon Longley released a statement weighing on what the switch would mean for the school.
First of all, fans of long-time Thanksgiving Day football rivalries need not worry.
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“We will continue to compete against our rival Masconomet on Thanksgiving Day in football and in most all other sports throughout the year,” stated Longley.
Longley also was quick to thank the Cape Ann League for such a positive experience. North Andover has been competing in the Cape Ann League since 1972.
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“We have had great relationship with members of the CAL and we wish the league all of the best moving forward,” Longley wrote.
North Andover will also be able to build stronger relationships and rivalries with teams they have competed against over the years. Most notably, Andover High School will be a more frequent opponent. This gives the opportunity for the Scarlet Knights and Golden Warriors to compete more often in battles of the Andovers.
“We are also looking to build on relationships that we have developed with local schools Lawrence, Methuen and Haverhill and Billerica,” Longley stated.
Central Catholic, a perennial Division 1 powerhouse, will also be an opponent that the Knights will be seeing a lot of.
Longley had high praise for the MVC, “By joining the MVC not only will students in North Andover receive a top level education and be able to participate in one of the top athletic programs in Massachusetts we will also be able to offer an opportunity to participate in one of the best conferences in Massachusetts,” he wrote.
The switch from the Cape Ann League into the Merrimack Valley Conference is effective in the fall of 2012.
Longley concluded his statement by stressing the importance of athletics within North Andover’s community, “Interscholastic athletics are important to the community of North Andover and we will continue to build a successful program in the MVC.”
