RallyNorth.net

Sat, Nov 14, 2015 02:30 PM @ Phillips Exeter

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Phillips	14	0	0	15	29
Phillips Exeter	7	7	0	0	14

Phillips Academy holds tough, downs Exeter

EXETER — After seeing an early 14-point lead slip away, Phillips Academy would not be denied against its archrivals.

The Big Blue bounced back with two fourth quarter touchdowns to take charge, and senior Robert Jones intercepted a pass to all but clinch Phillip Andover's 29-14 victory over historic foe Phillips Exeter in their storied rivalry that began in 1878.

"We may have finished the season 4-4, but tonight we feel undefeated," said Blue Blue coach Leon Modeste. "Beating Exeter means everything. They were coming hard, but we got the win."

This was the third straight victory over Andover over Exeter, following five straight victories for the Big Red. Andover leads the series 72-54-10.

The Big Blue jumped ahead 14-0 early, on touchdown runs for James Antoine and Ben Anthony. But back came the Big Red, with a TD in the final seconds in the first and another to tie the game in the second quarter.

Andover took control early in the fourth, as Jones connected with Andover's Jack Belluche on a 34-yard pass. The QB then scored from 7 yards out to take the lead back. Fellow Andoverite John Simourian added to the lead when he received a flip on a fake extra point and completed a pass to Antoine in the end zone.

Exeter rallied back with a drive into the Andover red zone, but Jones picked off a pass. Just a few plays later, the QB then sprinted for a 62-yard score for the final margin.

Belluche starred on defense, making 10 tackles and an interception, while Simourian had two sacks.

A third Andover resident John Rex Jr., added a sack and three tackles. The son of former Andover High interim head coach and current Phillips assistant John Rex, the younger Rex is the team's starting center.

"It's a legendary rivalry and this year sure lived up to it," said Modeste. "They had taken us a few years in a row, and it is nice to be on the winning end the last three years. We played hard on offense and defense, and it's an excellent way to end the season."