Welcome back, everyone!

It’s Anthony with another sports announcement. Here’s what happened this past week: 

• Girls' Field Hockey won its last two games, including a 2-0 victory over Haverhill.

• Girls' Soccer recently suffered a loss but previously held a four game winning streak. 

• Girls' Volleyball beat Lowell 3-2 in a close battle. 

• The Knights' Football team lost against Chelmsford in a hard-fought game (27-6). 

• Girls' Cross Country earned a great win over Andover on Wednesday. 

Thank you and have a good day!

Good Morning, North Andover High School! 

Sid the Kid and Ant are back with another weekly sports update : 

• We have great news from the varsity boys' soccer team where they won 4-0 against Haverhill ( Goals were scored from Alex Trinidad, Ian Crane, Aiden Siwicki, and Peter Bullock). 

• Last but not least, the girls' soccer team recently celebrated their senior night.

It's Sid and Anthony with another weekly sports update.

First off, we start with baseball where the boys won both the games in the weekend tournament and they also face off against Lawrence on Monday in a playoff game at Lawrence.

The girls' lacrosse team won their first playoff game yesterday in a great 15-4 win and we wish them luck in the rest of the playoffs.

Boys' lacrosse has a playoff final game on Monday and we wish them luck.

The softball team has a first playoff game tomorrow at Newton North High School.

Boys' tennis lost in the playoffs against BC High School - a solid season for the boys! 

Boys' and girls' track teams had Day 1 of the State Championship Meet yesterday.  Both teams have a lead going into Day 2 on Saturday…good luck to them!

On March 17, 2025, during a team meeting for North Andover High School Boys' Lacrosse, Coach Steve Zella introduced his idea of a new coaching approach for the 2025 season. 

During the 2024 season, the boys' team suffered a 4-9 (unofficial) record, which was not what they wanted or expected, and was below expectations set at the beginning of the season. Zella talked about how “embarrassing” it was to walk around with that record on his back and how he wanted revenge for the losses faced against rival teams last year. His idea of a new coaching style will consist of higher discipline and more conditioning. However, many people have expressed concerns about this approach and that Zella is already a hard enough coach as he is, and this might be excessive. 

During an interview with ex-youth baseball coach John Meaney, he stated that he likes the idea of higher intensity and more discipline, but more intense and extreme conditioning may be a setback and make players more sore and tired going into games, especially with less recovery time with weekend practices. Meaney stated, “I see what he's doing and understand why, it's just not needed.” The fear factor of an even harder, extremist coach may end up being a deterrent for new players as well. 

During an interview with the team captain Tray Kean, he stated that “Last year, we had a lot of injuries due to over conditioning, so I wouldn’t say that portion of the new style isn’t correct. Higher discipline, sure.” Lots of players who played last year also did not come back this year. “With a coach so dedicated to success and players who just want to play and have fun, it strips that factor away and creates a hard barrier for the players.” He also said it's “hard fighting for a spot to play,” with some kids [not wanting] to go through all the practices just to ride the bench for 2 hours. “That's why we had two kids quit mid season last year. Some kids did not have the skill set for varsity, but wouldn’t be moved down to JV…Zella knows what he's looking for in a player and he’s not scared to hurt some kids' feelings.”

Many people on the team have referred to Zella as a “drill sergeant” for his hard style of coaching, but what exactly is that? In an article written from the perspective of an ex-lacrosse player in college, he talks about his experience with coaches that used this style. “These coaches have one specific goal in mind, and that is results,” he explained. “To achieve the results… coaches tend to use a lot of negative reinforcement…strong, convincing personality… seen this style work well for the most part… Players are very responsive to it and they tend to get better… Coaches use running as a fear tactic to control the team… many of the players are often miserable.” 

Many questions arose and the team wondered what could’ve happened that made them go from their dominant stance in the Merrimack Valley in 2022 with an overall 16-5 (unofficial) record, to way below expectations in just 2 years, falling to last in the conference. Circling back to Meaney, he believes it to be the graduated seniors who dominated the sport. “You can only blame a coach so far, you know? Sometimes the skill set [for players] isn’t all there. [Hard] to say, but it's the hard truth.” 

Mass amounts of players for the North Andover Knights graduated in 2022, as well as 2023, which may be a possible reason for the drop in record and from going dominant in the sport to not what it used to be. An example of this would be ex-goalie Matt Roy who was an extremely dominant and feared goalie in the Merrimack Valley conference, who moved onto Southern New Hampshire University after graduation. He graduated in 2023 after the team went 9-8 (not official record). 

Are the standards set too high by Coach Zella, or could it just be that the shoes to fill for some players are just too large? 

Wow! It is already the last week of the regular season of the NFL! We have seen amazing comebacks, shocking upsets, and surprising records. There have also been many astonishing games, like the Arizona Cardinals @ Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17. According to ESPN.com, before the game, the Eagles were favorites by 12.5 points, and the result ended with the Cardinals defeating them by 4 points. 

A few breathtaking comebacks in the 2023 season were the Denver Broncos @ Chicago Bears. ESPN.com reports that Denver trailed by 21 points in the 3rd quarter but came back strong scoring 24 more points with a final score of 31-28. Another astonishing comeback occurred during a divisional game, Kansas City Chiefs @ Las Vegas Raiders. The Chiefs were behind by 14 points in the 2nd quarter but came back to score a whopping 31 points with a final score of 31-17. 

Some astounding upsets included the Houston Texans @ New York Jets. ESPN.com reports that the Texans were favorites by 3.5 points and the Jets defeated them by 24 points with a final score of 6-30. Another appalling upset was on Thanksgiving with the Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions. According to ESPN.com, before the game, the Lions were favorites by 8.5 points but ended up being defeated by 7 points. The final score was 29-22. 

Last but not least, many were also stunned by some teams' current records. For example, many are surprised by the Houston Texans’ record, especially considering they have a rookie quarterback. As of Week 18, their record is 9-7. Another astonishing record are the Baltimore Ravens. As of Week 18, their record is 13-3. According to NFL.com, they are currently the AFC favorite to be in the Super Bowl and are the number one seed in the AFC. 

What are your thoughts on the regular season? Whose record are you surprised by?

At North Andover High School, we have amazing athletic programs and sports teams. Each team brings its own unique culture and spirit to NAHS. Let’s consider a team that deserves more appreciation: the 25th ranked in the Merrimack Valley Conference, NAHS Girls’ Field Hockey team. 

I had the privilege of gaining insight into the world of “fhock” (abbreviation for field hockey) through talking to Senior players Rose Gordon (Captain), Kendall Wolfe, Delaney Savory, and Rachel Cox. I asked the players individually what the environment of the team was like. Their answers varied but all had the common theme of describing “fhock” as an accepting and fun place to be. Kendall described it as “silly and cheeky. We don't take ourselves too seriously, we have a good time and we do it for the mems.” The importance of having fun and enjoying each other surpasses everything else. They encourage new people to join in on the fun. This is relieving to hear for high school sports can potentially be stressful and pressuring. 

Coaches Andrea Van Horn and Pete Marfione are described as supportive and encouraging leaders who push their players to achieve. You don't have to be amazing at field hockey to grow, have fun, and make an impact on this community. Delaney, who had joined “fhock” her sophomore year observed,, “It's never too late to learn to play but to also learn to be a better teammate.” The girls’ favorite memories of being on the team included pasta parties, senior nights, bus rides, and fun practices everyday. 

Captain Rose Gordon plans to pursue Field Hockey at the Division 3 level at Bates College next year. She has played field hockey since first grade and plays for the club team Northeast Elite in Massachusetts. The stability and friendships provided by the team was something that she could not imagine absent in college. As a captain, she is challenged to lead the team smoothly which can be a difficult task at times. When I asked her how being a part of field hockey has shaped her as a person, she told me, “I think I have grown in leadership skills, learned how to be a leader of a team while also looking out for myself, but overall leading by example.” 

On a bittersweet note, I asked the seniors what they will miss most about field hockey. They listed items connected to people in the community. They expressed how they will miss the team with underclassmen, above all. A few of them had only started playing in high school, but they seemed to have found a home in the sport. Rachel agreed and indicated that she will most miss  “friends, underclassmen, and having somewhere to go after school to laugh and have fun.” 

The culture of this team seems to be solid, strong, and fierce. North Andover should pay more attention to the girls of “fhock.”

In our high school, there are far too many clubs to count. Each with their own purpose and group of people. Although I have been pretty surprised with some of the more “out there” clubs that exist here at NAHS, I never thought I would be writing an article on a dodgeball club that I also happen to be a part of. 

Although I am part of this club and friends with the leaders of the club, I really don't know much about it. I have helped with fundraising but I have only ever gone to two meetings. When most people think of dodgeball, they think of the colorful balls and people being left out in gym class. At dodgeball club, although there definitely is a lot of competitive play, it is a super easygoing and fun place to be. To find out more about the club, I interviewed my good friend Gabi Locke, one of the co-founders of the club. The leaders of the dodgeball club are Gabi Locke, Julia Kutz, and Hannah Mazzocchi. 

The first thing I was interested in learning about was why they even decided to start this club in the first place. Gabi explained, “The club was started as a way for students to have fun after school and to be part of a club where they don't feel any stress or pressure like normal sports do.” It’s a fun way for everyone to see their friends after school with everything they have going on these days. Gabi added, “We chose dodgeball specifically because I participated in the school’s pep rally where I happened to be pretty good at it. I thought it was super fun so I talked to some of my friends and almost as a joke, they said we should create a dodgeball club. I guess from there, the idea kind of turned into a reality.”

From an outside perspective, this club might seem like a joke or something that doesn't actually take place. I can assure you that this club is more than just a funny thing that some friends decided to start up - it's a space for people to have fun and laugh together. It also has quite a large group of people with about 50 kids in the club. 

Meetings are held on early release Wednesdays from 1:05 to around 1:30. This time and day was chosen because a lot of kids have sports after school on Wednesday but they don't start till at least 1:30 or 2:30. Gabi seemed very passionate about this topic: “Having our meetings go from 1:05 till around 1:30 provides a fun atmosphere for students to hang out and warm up before they have their practice. It lets kids release their stress about school before they go to practice.” 

Although many sports players are part of the club, there are also plenty of members who aren't into any sports, but want to have a fun time playing a sport at dodgeball club. Gabi noted, “From personal experience, I know that sports can cause a lot of stress for people, and I hope our club meetings can take off some of that stress.”

Although the dodgeball club has become a popular activity for many students, there are still many who are not in the club for various reasons. I sat down with Addy Crosby, a friend of mine, and was surprised at just how great she thinks the club is, even though she’s not in it. She said, “I think it is a great place to meet with all of these great people and expand your social circle.” There are so many cliques and groups in our high school, that I think having this fun place to go after school is great for all different kinds of people to meet and become friendly with one another. She also pointed out, “I would be part of the club if I could, it looks like a lot of fun and everyone in it speaks highly of the meetings.” I think having these types of clubs at school really brings people together and it feels like a great community. 

The club doesn't just play dodgeball but it also raises money for the Tommy Strong Foundation. This foundation helps survivors of terrible accidents with financial aid. Just in the first week of the club officially existing, we raised $140 from a bake sale that my fellow club members and I ran. We were really surprised by how much money we were able to make in just one day and have started organizing future fundraisers. We're really excited to see what the future of the club looks like.

Overall, it may seem silly to have such a random club at our school, but the dodgeball club is an inclusive place for students to hang out and play a fun and competitive game!

Bill Varney, the GOAT of Coaching? - Niklas Restrepo

Bill Varney, a 64 year old retired man from Massachusetts, has been involved in track his entire life. He was a track star in high school in Medford, and went on to break records at Bryant University, where he ran Division One track. He then went on to become the most decorated coach in the history of North Andover High School, where he has created and grown incredible talent. Many of his athletes have gone on to run for Division One schools. 

Ryan Connolly, one of Varney's most successful athletes, said, "Varney is a one of a kind coach. He's the kind of coach you get up for at 6 a.m. to run just because he told you to. He has inspired the team and me to get us to this point in our careers and we have only him to thank for that.” 

Varney's son has also followed in his footsteps to become the next great in the Varney family. At 64 years old, Varney is still going strong and inspiring the next generation of track stars. He has been coaching for 35 years and has won countless awards and championships in that time. He is an incredibly passionate coach and is always pushing his athletes to be their best. He has a great ability to connect with his athletes and understand their strengths and weaknesses. He always has their best interest at heart and is always looking for ways to help them grow and become the best athletes they can be. 

Varney is a great mentor and is well respected by both his athletes and his peers. He has an incredible work ethic and is dedicated to helping his athletes reach their goals. Nonetheless Varney has had an incredible career that will go down in North Andover history, but he is not done there and will continue to win state league titles and championships.