It isn’t often that a team can draw inspiration from a loss, but Classical coach Tim Phelps feels that even in defeat, you can learn a lot about yourself.And two weeks ago, when the Rams gave Gloucester a whale of a game (the second time in three years the Fishermen have come to Lynn and struggled against Classical), Phelps was certainly pleased with the effort, even if it didn’t result in victory.”You can still take things out of losses,” the second-year coach, whose team is 6-4 heading into Thursday’s annual rivalry game with English. “You can take out of it players who played well, the fact that you competed for four quarters ?”One of the amazing things,” he said, “was that we came back from a 21-0 deficit. That shows good character. So it was good in that respect.”Phelps is also pleased that the Rams showed improvement from Week 1 – a season-opening loss to Catholic Memorial – to the Gloucester game.”I think we’ve been getting better and better every game,” he said. “I thought our defense played well all year, and our offense came along in the end.”Defense was the team’s strong suit all season – especially the line. Win or lose, the Rams’ defense kept them in most games. And one of the reasons Phelps relished the Gloucester game – aside from the fact that the Classical could have won the Northeastern Conference/North with a victory – was because it pitted strength against strength.”Their offensive line is their strength,” he said, “and our D line is ours. “But Gloucester is over with, and now the task at hand is English, which won easily last year (48-14).”I wouldn’t say they’re weak anywhere,” Phelps said of the 8-2 Bulldogs. “The English athletes impress me. The quarterback (Tyllor McDonald) is very elusive. He’s a playmaker all by himself.”One thing they do is spread the ball out, and give those athletes a better chance to make some moves, and make some plays,” he said. “For the last couple of games, he’s played well. He’s tucked the ball and run more than we would have really hoped. He’s dangerous that way.”Classical has its weapons, though. One of them is running back/outside linebacker Casey Johnson, who has been the feature back in Classical’s offense all season. Chevere Archer has played well at outside linebacker as well.”In that last game against Gloucester he really played well,” Phelps said. “He had eight or nine tackles. He blocks for us as a tight end, and he’s an impact player on defense.”The Grassa brothers have also been key contributors.”Jasper is one of our captains and he’s played well on both sides of the ball,” Phelps said. “He’s a small receiver, but he’s been solid for us. He’s stepped up big time in games where they’ve shut Casey down. And he’s been real good running the ball, and all over the field on defense, making a lot of tackles.”His brother, Nick, “has gotten better as the season’s wore on,” Phelps said.”In general, we’re just getting better,” he said. “Hopefully, we can come out better with a win.”The Rams will be without the services of three players Thursday, as they were suspended as the result of a brief skirmish at the conclusion of the Gloucester game.”The next guy has to step up,” said Phelps. “That’s what the program is all about. Guys get injured, or get sick, or whatever, the person behind him has to step up.”