A suspension-thinned Hillies team was unable to keep up with Billerica quarterback Nick LaSpada, who rushed for 132 yards and threw for 166 more in a 35-0 drubbing of Haverhill on Friday, Oct. 23.
The nine suspended players, who have not been identified, will miss the game on Friday, Oct. 30, as well.
Athletic Director Garin Veris, after consulting with Principal Bernard Nangle, suspended the players for two games after police reported to the school that they had been fund in the presence of alcohol after the school's homecoming bonfire last weekend, a violation of school policy.
Their absence against Lawrence (2-5) will do little to help the Hillies improve their 0-7 record.
The Lancers come to Haverhill on Friday night.
Against Billerica, Haverhill managed just 34 yards of offense.
Haverhill did not earn a single first down in the first half and trailed 28-0 at halftime.
"We're mostly an option team and a lot of our option did work tonight," said Haverhill QB Austen Campbell said. "I'm a short quarterback and I don't have that vision downfield so I have to learn to trust my pocket and stay in there and throw the ball."
Billerica 35, Haverhill 0
Billerica (6-1):14âÇ14âÇ7âÇ0 — 35
Haverhill (0-7):âÇ0âÇâÇ0âÇ0âÇ0 — âÇ0
First Quarter
B— Nick LaSpada 49 run (Henry Marin kick), 9:40
B — LaSpada 29 run (Marin kick), 0:50
Second Quarter
B— Jim Holland 15 pass from LaSpada (Marin kick), 9:18
B — Bryan Higgins 1 pass from LaSpada (Marin kick), :28
Third Quarter
B — Ryan Donahoe 6 pass from LaSpada (Marin kick), 8:36
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
RUSHING: Haverhill (26-30) — Malcolm Novello 14-38, Austen Campbell 7-(-30), Tito Morel 5-22; Billerica (24-148) — Nick LaSpada 7-132, Chris Clark 4-9, Bryan Higgins 3-3, Brian Thompson 1-(-1), Jim Holland 1-2, Bryon Ramirez 7-1, Jason Ferri 1-2.
PASSING: Haverhill — Campbell 1-7-1, 4 yards; Billerica — LaSpada 14-17-0, 166 yards
RECEIVING: Haverhill — Novello 1-4; Billerica — Wayne Bolz 3-29, Jim Holland 4-47, Ryan Donahoe 3-37, Chris Clark 2-37, Brandon Coelho 1-15, Higgins 1-1
