Mentor and disciple go up against each other tomorrow when Classical plays St. Mary’s

LYNN – The waiting is over for Lynn Classical and St. Mary’s.The two teams have practiced for nearly a month and on Thursday night (7) at Manning Field, the Rams and Spartans will open the high school football season in Lynn.If the rivalry between the two teams wasn’t enough, it took a step up over the summer when former Classical coach Matt Durgin accepted the job at St. Mary’s following the departure of Jeff Smith.Durgin, who led the Rams to heights not seen in nearly 30 years in the Northeastern Conference, is followed on the sideline at Classical by Tim Phelps, an assistant coach and player for Durgin.”It’s certainly an honor to go against someone like Matt,” Phelps said. “Being a mentor figure to me. So it should be interesting.”The feeling is mutual from the other side of the field.”There’s a lot of mixed emotions because there are a lot of kids over there that I have a lot of respect for,” Durgin said. “Timmy loves Classical and I know he’ll be very good. He’s gone through the program and has comeback to coach. He’s a special guy and is a perfect fit. He’ll be there for many years.”Phelps is also keenly aware that despite learning under Durgin, there are a few trade secrets that were kept close to the vest.”I’m sure he’s got some things that he wouldn’t share with anybody,” Phelps said. “He’s got a lot of the same coaching staff he’s had for years.”It also marks the first game in the newly completed Manning Field.The project, which brought a first class facility to Lynn, was formally dedicated on Monday and Phelps is excited to get things going there.”It’s a first class facility,” Phelps said. “And it’s probably one of the best these kids will play on in high school or college.”The Rams, who easily got the better of St. Mary’s last season, come into this season trying to replace a group of seniors that came within inches of making the playoffs last season. To do it, Phelps has had to break in a group of young players, many of whom haven’t seen a lot of playing time against varsity offenses or defenses.That inexperience is something that Phelps knows the Rams have to deal with quickly on Thursday night.”I’m sure some of the kids will be nervous,” Phelps said. “We just have to get over them quickly and play how we can. That’s the big hump we have to clear.”St. Mary’s is trying to rebound from a tough season last year and Durgin knows that tomorrow’s game will be a good measuring stick to see where the Spartans are right now.”It will be a challenge,” Durgin said. “The thing I do know is that (Classical) will have good speed and will be physical. “Our kids have done everything we’ve asked of them and there’s no doubt this will be a challenge for us.”Youth is also something that the Spartans will be counting on to lead them to success. And getting those new players feet wet is paramount for Durgin’s team on Thursday.”You just hope that you’ve covered everything and hopefully we’re as prepared as possible,” Durgin said. “But we’re still trying to find our identity.”One thing is for certain though, come Thursday around 7 p.m., all the mixed emotions will go out the window for Durgin.”I really don’t know what to expect to be honest. But once it’s teed up, it’s just another football game,” Durgin said.