Classical boys win NEC South

LYNN – It was back to the 1970’s when Classical last won the Northeastern Conference title and it was the English coach’s father, Bryan King, who coached the Rams to the championship.English last won the NEC 27 years ago with Ken Noyes as the coach.Therefore, something major – one way or the other – had to give Thursday. And when the final whistle blew, it was Classical, by virtue of its 2-0 win over English – finally able to call itself a champion.The Rams won thanks to two goals by a recently promoted JV player. In the space of six minutes in the first half, Yabesi Musema will go down in Classical history for scoring the only two goals of the game and giving the Rams their first title in almost 40 years.Musema scored at the 31st minute mark on a through ball from Joel Reyes that set him up to his left of English keeper Kerley Der. He beat Der to the far corner; and six minutes later he finished the scoring, with an assist going to Don Gomez. It was a carbon copy of the first goal. A quick short pass through the English defenders sprung Musema free in the top of the area and he put the ball in the other corner.The second half was a physical struggle between the two teams. An English player had to be taken to the hospital because of a head injury. The most dangerous time for Classical was in the 55th minute. Ram keeper Dammy Dada was injured and had to leave the game. Co-captain Greg Rybak volunteered to fill in for Dada until he could get back into the game.It took almost eight minutes of playing time before Classical could substitute again.In that time Rybak made three outstanding saves by punching the ball out of danger. Dada then returned. The last 17 minutes were played with English attacking and Classical holding on until the final whistle blew.After the game, Rybak was asked about his unusual saves.”No way was I going to catch the ball,” he said. “I just wanted it out of the goal area.”Kerry King, the English coach who finished with a league record of 7-2-1, said, “My kids played 100 percent. They left everything they had on the field. We now have to get ready for the states that will probably start next weekend.”Winning Classical coach Joe Skahan, whose team finished with a 7-0-3 record, said, “We found Musema at the start of the year and put him on JV’s. He was so good we brought him to the varsity five games ago and he has been scoring ever since.”We are now ready for the tourney. We will enjoy the title for a few days and then get back to work.”