LYNNFIELD ? A few big plays made a difference in momentum, and North Andover cruised to a 49-21 win over Lynnfield on Saturday at Lynnfield Middle School.Coming out of halftime down 28-14, the Pioneers looked as though they might get the break they needed when they sacked North Andover’s Kyle Kobierski at the Scarlet Knights’ 32-yard line on a punt attempt. Unfortunately for the Pioneers, the play was nullified when Lynnfield was caught with twelve players on the field. That penalty allowed North Andover to pick up a first down on fourth-and-one, and changed the complexion of the game.North Andover promptly marched down the field with some bruising rushes, and Zachary Iovanella put his team up 35-14 on a 5-yard score.After the game, Lynnfield coach Bill Adams acknowledged the importance of the penalty.”At that point, (the penalty) was crucial,” Adams said. “If we were going to have a chance to rally the cause in the second half, it was then.”With momentum in its favor, North Andover never let the Pioneers back into the game. It needed only two plays on its next possession before Matt Burckhardt broke loose for a 27-yard touchdown run and a 42-14 lead, ending the afternoon for the starters.Lynnfield and North Andover traded scores to close the contest. Quarterback Chris Grassi scored on a 1-yard keeper for the Pioneers, but Julien Lacourse matched his effort on the ensuing possession with a 5-yard romp to the goal line.The ground attack paved the way to victory for the Scarlet Knights, racking up 283 yards for the game. North Andover coach John Rafferty said the results were consistent with his game plan.”We expect to run the ball well,” Rafferty said. “That’s what we set out to do. We run first, pass second. If we’re not running well, we’re not living up to our expectations.”The first half was much a much more competitive atmosphere. North Andover got things rolling right away as quarterback Steven Boudreau found Burckhardt for a 28-yard completion to the Lynnfield 11. Three plays later, Burckhardt found pay dirt on a 1-yard rush, giving North Andover the early 7-0 lead.On the next four possessions, the two teams traded scores. Grassi found Frank Celani on two touchdown passes from 25 and 24 yards, respectively. North Andover answered both times, however, on rushing touchdowns by Iovanella and Burckhardt, giving the Scarlet Knights a 21-14 advantage.Lynnfield, looking to tie the game in the half’s final two minutes, ran into trouble near its own goal line. Grassi was sacked for a loss to the Pioneer 10, forcing a punt. Tim Lamusta’s punt was short, though, and North Andover took control at the Lynnfield 18. Four plays later, Iovanella scored again, giving North Andover a 28-14 lead at the half.Rafferty said he was impressed with the stiff competition in the first half from the Pioneers.”They did a real nice job today, coming out flying,” Rafferty said. “We knew we had to get into the flow in a hurry.”When the game was over, Adams said he was a little disappointed the score wasn’t closer.”We were hoping for more today,” Adams said. “We were hoping for really a better battle. But (North Andover) has a good team.”