Scuzzarella stands out in Classical win over Peabody

LYNN ? One by air, two on the ground, and another on a kickoff return.Lynn Classical High football player Brad Scuzzarella scored four touchdowns in the first 14 minutes to lead the Rams to an easy 40-7 win over Peabody, Friday, at Lee Field.Scuzzarella took the opening kickoff back 89 yards for his first score, added a pair of 45-yard rushing touchdowns, and then hauled in a 73-yard pass from Jordan Brown to give Classical (7-2; 2-1 CAL/NEC Tier 1) a 28-0 lead with 8:43 left in the first half.Tino Fernandez added a pair of 2-yard scoring runs later in the second quarter to give the Rams a 40-0 lead at halftime. Mike Raymond scored the lone touchdown for Peabody (0-9; 0-4) with 3:57 left in the game.”The kids pay attention. They read the papers and know what’s going on,” Classical coach Tim Phelps said. “But you’ve still got to take care of business, and we wanted to make sure we came out and played hard.”Unfortunately for Classical, its post-season hopes were dashed by Masconomet’s 42-0 win over Revere. The Rams still have a their annual Thanksgiving Day clash with Lynn English as a potential consolation prize.”We don’t have to say anything to our kids about English,” Phelps said. “We know they (Bulldogs) will be ready for us, and we’re going to work hard in practice to be ready for them.”Scuzzarella’s opening kickoff return gave the Rams a 6-0 lead just 14 seconds into the game, but the Rams fumbled on their next possession, with Peabody taking over at its own 45. The Tanners picked up one first down before punting, and Scuzzarella capped off the ensuing drive for the Rams with his first 45-yard scoring run, a sweep around left end.His third touchdown was almost a carbon copy of the second TD – a 45-yard run on a sweep to the left. One play after Jalen Brown recovered a fumble after what had been an impressive 40-yard gain by Peabody on a halfback option, Jordan Brown hooked up with Scuzzarella for his fourth touchdown.”Brad is a fast kid, and he works hard,” said Phelps. “If you noticed, on all of those plays he picked up speed one he got past the initial point of attack.”The first of Jordan Brown’s two interceptions led to a 47-yard scoring drive that culminated with Fernandez’s first touchdown. A botched punt by Peabody on its next drive gave the Rams the ball at the Tanners’ 10-yard line, and three plays later Hernandez punched in his second score with 31 seconds left in the first half.Peabody’s scoring drive started after a short Classical punt left the ball at the Rams’ 32. Raymond connected with Jake Summit for a 12-yard gain on third down, and two plays later Raymond bulled his way into the end zone after a scramble.