Football: Season starts in big way at Manning Field

The high school football season kicks off tonight (6) at Manning Field when Lynn Classical plays host to East Longmeadow in a rare Thursday night affair before things get into full swing on Friday with a full slate of games.The Rams will face one of the powerhouse programs in Western Mass. as East Longmeadow is ranked No. 7 in masslive.com’s preseason Media Poll. Coach Scott Raymond’s team went 9-2 a year ago, losing in the Division II Western Mass. semifinals to Putnam, 31-26, as the top seed in the tournament.Classical will look to get plenty of new faces some game experience against a challenging opponent.Friday’s showcase game will also be at Manning as two-time defending Super Bowl champion Gloucester hits the road to take on Lynn English in a rematch of one of last year’s most entertaining games.”They’re like a machine,” English coach Peter Holey said. “The difference between us and Gloucester is a mental thing. Our kids have to believe we can beat them. That’s the biggest challenge.”The Bulldogs will take the field with plenty of new faces in some very high profile places and those new starters will face a team that has lost a grand total of two games over the past four seasons.”We’re going to be relatively inexperienced,” Holey said. “But they’re still Gloucester and I anticipate they’re going to be good.”The Fishermen also have to break in plenty of new players and a new head coach in Tony Zerilli, who takes the helm from Paul Ingram.Tech at ChelseaAt Chelsea Memorial Stadium (7), the Tigers begin year two under coach James Runner against a talented Red Devils team and former St. Mary’s head man Mike Stellato.Tech will look to quarterback Kennedy Gomes to lead an offense that has to replace several players in critical positions.Saugus at North ReadingAt North Reading (7), it’s a matchup of two teams that like making their living on the ground in a battle between the NEC and Cape Ann League.The Sachems finished at 4-6 a year ago but return several players who saw plenty of action for coach Mike Broderick. They will face a Hornet team that will be part of the Division 4 tier under the new NEC-CAL merger in football.Salem at PeabodyAt Lee Field (7), two old rivals renew acquaintances again as both teams look to continue the momentum of bounce-back seasons a year ago.The Witches begin life without stars Brad Skeffington and Antonio Reyes while the Tanners return the bulk of their skill position players to the fold.Danvers at WinthropAt Miller Field (7), both teams went 1-9 a year ago and look to the season opener as a chance to get 2011 started on the right track.Northeast at FenwickAt Donaldson Field (7), the Crusaders begin life without Ryan Lipka and Bret Kidik by jumping into the fire against a Super Bowl champion.Fenwick finished 3-8 a year ago while the Golden Knights steamrolled their way to a Division 4 title.Revere at MedfordAt Medford (7), a pair of old foes from the Greater Boston League will continue a long rivalry. Last year, the Patriots started 4-0 but dropped their last seven contests.