Paul Vozzella

NEFJ Staff

BILLERICA — It was a lopsided affair Friday night as the Billerica Indians dominated the Andover Golden Eagles in preparation for the playoffs.

Billerica’s defense played a full game, not showing any signs of regression on its way to a 27-9 victory. Indians head coach Duane Sigsbury commended his players for battling on both sides of the ball.

“We play ironman football,” said Sigsbury. “We put our best kids in the best spots and teach them what they need to do and they just go at it. . . . We’re Billerica, we’re blue-collar and we’re not scared to work.”

It was a slow start offensively for both teams with the first quarter finishing scoreless. It included just two full drives, both of which ended in a turnover on downs.

Billerica tried to get on the board first but failed to execute a field goal to cap off an 11-play drive.

Andover had minimal success on the ground to start the game and reverted to passing, but to no avail. Seven consecutive passes could not get the Warriors in scoring possession and they were forced to punt.

After a defense-heavy first 16 minutes, Indians running back Judd Dorival exploded for a 70-yard touchdown run down the left sideline to make it 7-0.

Andover’s offense woke up after letting up the touchdown and stacked eight plays together to give kicker Nate Bernardin a chance for a field goal. His kick made it through the uprights, cutting Billerica’s lead to four points.

Andover quickly found themselves back on offense, but with just under two minutes to go until halftime, defensive back Gryffin Bordeau dropped back into coverage and intercepted Warriors quarterback Dominic Papa’s pass. Bordeau brought the ball all the way back to Andover’s 8-yard line but admitted he had bigger plans.

“I was thinking (about scoring) it. . . . I got it and I thought I had a lane. I tried to juke out a guy, he got a little close behind me.”

Although Bordeau was unable to cross the goal line on the interception, he got what he wanted with 3:33 left in the third quarter after Gabe Rosse scored a touchdown himself. The two scores gave Billerica a 20-3 lead that they took into the fourth quarter.

Andover struggled to get going on offense again and back-to-back sacks by Billerica’s Rosse and Jackson Gearin almost sealed the victory for the Indians. But on fourth down, Papa was able to scramble for a big gain to keep the drive going.

The next play resulted in a Papa pass to wide receiver Nicholas Ilsely for a touchdown with 3:15 left in the competition.

Andover failed at their onside kick attempt and Indians wide receiver Matt Gray put the nail in the coffin with a 34-yard catch over two defenders in the end zone to make it 27-9.

How big of a win was this for Billerica?

“It’s huge, but it’s just the start for this team,” said Bordeau.

Billerica moves to 5-3 and starts to prepare for the playoffs.

How is Billerica going to carry the momentum into the playoffs?

“We’re gonna continue to do what we always do,” said Sigsbury. “We’re gonna get in here tomorrow morning. We’re gonna lift. We’re gonna watch this film, put it to bed, and then watch film of who we think we’re gonna play.”

Billerica is rolling with momentum to begin the most important month of high school football while Andover moves to 5-4.