Football: Vaughan set for a return to Lynn

When Brian Vaughan went to his first football meeting, after he became the head coach at Pope John, he saw eight kids.That improved, obviously, as soon as the freshmen arrived. But despite the humble beginnings, Vaughan’s Tigers went 9-1 (on the field) before they were forced to forfeit five games because of an ineligible player.This year, 32 players showed up. And while that’s not exactly a juggernaut, it’s four times better than eight. And the Tigers got off to a good start last weekend, defeating Chelsea, 12-6.Saturday, they’ll get perhaps their stiffest non-league test of the season when they come into Manning Field to face St. Mary’s (1-0 as well). The Spartans, a Catholic Central/Large team (Pope John is in the CCL/Small), represent a real challenge for the Tigers, Vaughan said.”That’s the main reason we’re excited about playing this game,” says Vaughan, a former Lynn English and Northeastern standout who returns to Manning as a coach for the first time since his days as an assistant for the Bulldogs. “I think (coach) Matt Durgin is one of the best coaches on the North Shore. And he’s got them clicking on all cylinders, too. I saw them last weekend (against Georgetown).”The Tigers may have a little “Who’s On First” action going for them too. Two of their main players come from Lynn. One’s name is Malcolm Brown (wide receiver/defensive back) and the other is Malcolm Brown-Simpson (quarterback).”I call one Brown and the other Simpson,” says Vaughan. “I can’t say ‘Malcolm’ because they’ll both be looking at me.”St. Mary’s hopes to pick up where it left off last week when it trounced the Royals, 42-7. The Spartans have a deep backfield, and two of their backs, Todd Collier and Nick Day, scored two touchdowns apiece.”They play a double wing,” said Vaughan, “and we see a lot of that in our league. So I think playing them will help us prepare for the teams we’ll be playing later on.”Other games Saturday:Tech at MarianAt Bowditch Field, Framingham (1), this is the debut for coach James Runner, who took over for Gary Sverker after last season.The Tigers are the defending state vocational champions, but bring a very young team into Framingham Saturday, with only three returning seniors on the roster.Still, Runner says the team has prepared for the season with the idea that it is a Super Bowl champion, and hopes that his offensive line – young, perhaps, but a bit more experienced than other parts of his lineup – can jell as the season progresses.Marian, 4-7 last year, returns nine lettermen. The Mustangs lost last weekend to Keefe Tech, 22-0.Central Catholic at St. John’sAt Cronin Field, Danvers (1:30), The Prep rolled to a 31-0 season-opening victory over Peabody, with Tyler Coppola scoring on a 56-yard run on the Eagles’ first play.Central, always a power to be reckoned with in the Merrimack Valley Conference, beat Marlborough last Friday, 28-14. The game has turned into one of The Prep’s marquee non-league games. Last year, the Raiders beat The Prep, 15-14.Revere at WhittierAt Whittier (10), the Patriots got off to a rocking start last Friday by drilling Medford, 48-12, scoring all their points in the first half. A trio of running backs – Trae Weathers, Ronnie Pitterson and Quentin Wesley – scored two TDs apiece.Also Saturday, Danvers coach Sean Rogers makes his debut, as the Falcons travel to Pentucket (1).