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Phillips, Phillips Exeter

EXETER, N.H. — The first five wins this year were nice, but the sixth, now that's special.

Heavily favored Phillips Andover withstood a furious fourth-quarter rally from Phillips Exeter to take a 17-14 win in the 136th installment of the famed rivalry. Andover leads all-time 74-52-10.

Andrew Antonucci caught a 27-yard TD pass from Zach Geddes and the quarterback later added a 4-yard TD run to make it 14-0 at the half.

When Michael Thompson split the uprights on a 28-yard field in the third quarter it appeared the blowout some expect was becoming a reality.

Not so fast. This is, after all, Andover-Exeter.

The Exies scored twice in the fourth. But then the hosts couldn't capitalize on an onsides kick, which was recovered by Thompson. They forced a punt and had one final chance but defensive heroes Bobby O'Donnell (9 unassisted tackles) and Adam Cohen (11 unassisted tackles) combined for a fourth-down stop on 4th and 1 just shy of midfield.

 As would be expected, 31st-year Andover head coach Leon Modeste was elated.

"This was our fifth in a row," he noted. "We take great pride in that. I think before that we had lost five in a row. It's always a heckuva game. It was a great high school football team. The records go out the window. The favorite often struggles."

Phillips, now 6-2, is hoping to receive a New England Prep bowl game berth. The selections will be announced today (Sunday).

Exeter had a chance to salvage the season but instead dropped to 1-7.