Krause:It’ll be a hot time at Manning Field Friday

It isn’t often that we have two Lynn teams involved in virtual do-or-die football games this late in the season. But it’s rarer to have them both happen on the same night ? and the same field.But that’s what happens this Friday when Lynn Tech takes on Greater Lawrence (3:45) and Classical plays Gloucester (7) at Manning Field.Let’s start with the nightcap first. With the disclaimer, of course, that anything can happen on a high school football field, it is highly likely that Classical represents Gloucester’s last big hurdle en route to a Northeastern Conference/Large championship. After the Fish tangle with the Rams, the combined record of Gloucester’s last three opponents (English, Salem and Danvers) is 5-15 (with seven of those losses by Danvers).But the Rams can do more than play spoiler. A win could put Classical in a terrific position to win the NEC/Large itself, even if road to the title would be a bit harder. After Gloucester, the Rams play Salem and Revere in advance of their annual Thanksgiving game against English. The combined record of those three teams is 8-12.Naturally, you can’t assume anything. All games – and especially rival games – have an element of the unpredictable about them. And when it comes to Classical-English, that’s more unpredictable than most.Still, you’d have to say that all other things being equal, Friday’s game could go a long way toward determining who makes it into the post-season next month.Tech has been one of the more pleasant surprises this season – for a number of reasons. First, the Tigers have struggled mightily over the last five years; and second, because it would really be nice to see Gary Sverker rewarded with a post-season game after such a long and distinguished coaching career with the Tigers.But it’ll be a tall order. Like Tech, Greater Lawrence is unbeaten. They’ve beaten some of the same teams Tech has defeated. The only invariable is that the Reggies handed 5-1 Georgetown its only defeat. Two things about that, however. First, Georgetown is in the small division; and second, it is the only school either team has played thus far that has sustained a winning record.So on the face of it, the game looks to be an even match.The Tigers went up to Tyngsborough last week and hung in there against Greater Lowell – always a tough opponent – putting the game away last in the fourth quarter on a 1-yard rush by John Jones. After a few weeks of one-sided victories, close wins – especially on the road – are certainly character-builders.The game starts at 3:45 to accommodate the doubleheader while getting people out of Manning Field at a decent hour. Understandable, yes. But I’m not sure it’s fair to Tech. Hopefully, there will be a good crowd on hand to root on a team – and a coach – that deserves all the support that comes its way.uWhile we’re talking about league title possibilities here, let’s not forget a potentially crucial matchup a week from Saturday when the Beverly Panthers visit Swampscott. Like Friday’s Gloucester-Classical game, this one – provided both teams win this weekend – has all the earmarks of a title matchup.All Swampscott has to do is go into Stackpole Field Saturday and beat Saugus – not impossible, to be sure, but not the cakewalk this may have been in recent years. The Sachems went up to Hurd Stadium last week and even though Beverly’s Greg Pierce ran for over 200 yards against them, they hung in there in a 19-14 loss, making the Panthers sweat with a fourth-quarter touchdown. Swampscott, meanwhile, had to hang on to beat Winthrop – a team Saugus had handled a week earlier.The NEC/Small is incredibly balanced, with five of the six teams having survived their jousts with bigger teams in fine fashion. And they even sprung a few upsets, such as Marblehead beating Salem, for example.Provided Beverly can get past Marblehead Friday, next week could be a “for all the marbles” game.One warning to Beverly, though: It still has Winthrop on the horizon. The Vikings may have