By Mukala Kabongo
NEFJ Correspondent

ANDOVER – Central Catholic snapped Andover’s five-game winning streak with a big 42-24 win over a Merrimack Valley Conference rival on Friday night behind a big second half from Cody Arsenault.

With the game tied at 21 in the third quarter and  both teams looking for a momentum shift, the game changed on one play,

Arsenault broke free for a 59-yard gain deep into Warriors territory, which led to an eight-yard touchdown run by quarterback Caden Smith.

“He’s a great running back,” said head coach John Dubzinski

Arsenault, the lead catalyst to Central Catholic’s (4-3) offensive explosion in the second half, ran for a game high 176 yards after being held to four yards in the first half.

“Armari got hurt, I had to take on a bigger role,” said Arsenault.

Early on in this matchup we seemed to be heading towards a shootout. Andover (5-2) only needed four plays on its first drive  to go 76-yards. Quarterback John Stadler connected with Ryan Moriarty on a 41 yard connection play on the first throw of the game into Raiders territory.

Two plays later running back Marcus DeJesus ran it from 14-yards out for the game’s first score.

Caden Smith and the offense quickly respond with an 11-yard touchdown pass to senior Drew O’Keefe to tie things up at seven.

Trailing 14-7, the Raiders scored off back-to-back Warriors turnovers. Athaniel Urena picked off Stadler for a 40-yard pick six. On the ensuing possession, Stadler threw another pick six, this time to O’Keefe, giving the Raiders the 21-14 lead.

“Those two defensive touchdowns in the first half really kept us in the game,” said Dubzinksi.

Kyle Olson’s 20-yard touchdown run right before the half tied things at 21. In the second half, the Raiders’ defense took control of the game, sacking Stadler three times while only allowing three points.

“The first half was a battle, we challenged them to be aggressive on defense and they answered the call,” said Dubzinksi.

Arsenault put the game away with two back breaking touchdown runs in the fourth quarter, the first one was a 30-yard rumble after Henry Belscher cut the lead to 28-24 for Andover.

Following an interception by Urena in the end zone, Arsenault put the game out of reach with a 52-yard touchdown run with 0:04 remaining in regulation.

“I love the fact that he ended the game with a long touchdown run,” said Dubzinksi.

Central Catholic returns to the field on Thursday for senior night against Haverhill, Andover visits Tewksbury.