Offensive line, backfield were good partners for Rams

For the Lynn Classical football team, the 2007 season had already been a success coming into Thursday’s game with arch-rival Lynn English.The Rams had come within two yards of knocking off Gloucester and taking a trip to the postseason for the first time in nearly 25 years thanks in large part to a very talented core of running backs and an offensive line that paved the way for them.On Thursday, the 2,500 fans in attendance got a chance to see that group in action.Behind the blocking of Billy Thibodeau, Dillon O’Toole, Sebastian Bejin, Brian Kolodziej and Chris Nassor, the Ram runners put up 297 yards on 39 carries and simply wore down the Bulldogs en route to a 46-6 win that saw six different players get on the scoresheet.”We are very fortunate to have the skill kids that we do,” Classical coach Matt Durgin said.”Everybody who touched the ball, I think, ran hard and that starts with the guys up front. They did a tremendous job.”That skill up front helped the Rams rack up 17 first downs and saw four running backs go over 40 yards on the ground in the game.In fact, only three of Classical’s 39 attempts on the ground resulted in negative yardage.The proficiency of the offensive line and backs is even more impressive when you consider the fact that many of them were first year starters for a team that has now gone 29-11 in the last four seasons.”They were all new up front and they did a great job,” Durgin said.The focal point of the Classical offense usually is Quivari Jackson, and rightly so.The senior had eight rushing touchdowns and seven receiving scores coming in, ranking him second in NEC North play.But the English defense limited him to only eight carries for 51 yards and a touchdown.Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, Classical isn’t a one-man band.”Quivari is a three-year starter and everyone keys on him.”And to be honest, that helps out the other guys,” Durgin said.”But he has the ability to make big plays every time he touches the ball.”That big play ability was clear from the outset as Jackson took an Alex Watler hand off and nearly raced to the endzone before being hauled down after a 28-yard gain.From there on, it was clear that Classical’s ground attack had a chance to be successful.Keshaun Avery scored from 25 yards out to end that first drive and issue the directive to the English defense that it had the potential to be a long day.Unfortunately for English, that proved to be true.uThe hardest hit of the day was handed out by Jackson in the third quarter.English quarterback Justin Young threw a pass over the middle to tight end Mike Lynch for a first down, but before Lynch could even turn up field, Jackson was there and delivered a de-cleating blow that resulted in a fumble which Classical recovered.uThe Lynn English JROTC color guard was on hand to present the colors during the national anthem, which was performed by the Lynn Public Schools band.The band also put on a very nice halftime show.