Lark’s three TDs power English

LYNN – In theory, the plan seemed sound. English shifted six-foot, four-inch junior quarterback Jordan (Javier) Lark to wide receiver Friday night in order to take advantage of his height and athleticism while turning the offense over to talented junior Lucas Harris.View Photo GalleryHarris delivered a 33-yard completion on the game’s first play but exited with an ankle injury on the next. No matter … Lark returned to quarterback, completing 10-of-18 passes for 184 yards and three TDs to lead the Bulldogs (3-1, 2-0) to a 27-14 win against Swampscott at Manning Field.”We planned on Lucas at quarterback but Jordan has a terrific arm. He came in and had a helluva game,” said English coach Peter Holey.Meanwhile, the Bulldogs’ defense forced five turnovers (three interceptions, two fumbles) and delivered a number of big plays in crucial situations.Zach Lozzi’s39-yard interception return for a score gave English a 20-0 lead early in the third quarter. Swampscott closed to 20-7 late in the third quarter but turned the ball over on downs at the English 19, then was thwarted by Schuyler Hogan’s end zone interception on consecutive possessions to open the fourth quarter. Lozzi, Chris Tinkham and Josh Manzanillo stood out for the Bulldogs’ D.”The defense played terrific. We made plays when we had to and we tackled much better. I’m happy with the effort,” Holey said.After an exchange of game-opening turnovers, the Bulldogs grabbed the lead when Lark found Chris Lessard (2 catches, 102 yards, 2 TDs) clear well behind the Swampscott defense for a 34-yard scoring strike. Lessard’s PAT made it 7-0 with 1:33 left in the first quarter.The ‘Dogs doubled that with 1:51 left in the half when Lark drilled a 10-yard strike to Kyle O’Connor (5 catches, 77 yards, TD), capping an 81-yard drive triggered by Lozzi’s 39-yard burst to the Swampscott 42.Lozzi’s interception return stretched the lead to 20-0 on the third play of the second half but the Big Blue didn’t buckle. They countered with a methodical 52-yard march finished off by quarterback Brendan McDonald’s four-yard scoring flip to Christian Liorente with 4:21 left in the third quarter. Jeremy Epstein’s PAT made it 20-7.Swampscott (1-2, 1-4) then threatened but couldn’t finish its next two possessions.”We didn’t practice hard this week and it showed. We’ve got to be more consistent and we can’t make big mistakes in big games against big athletes,” said coach Steve Dembowski. “We have to get better, from me on down. We left too many chances on the field.”English made it 27-7 on a highlight reel play. Lark aired it out, Lessard leaped over a Big Blue defender at the Swampscott 20 and ambled into the end zone to complete the 68-yard score.Swampscott tacked on a last-minute TD as McDonald found Ryan Cresta from seven yards.English transfer Desmond Wilhelmson led Swampscott with 132 yards on 23 carries but missed a large chunk of the second half with a leg injury. Cresta and Ben Faulkner both had four receptions for the Big Blue.English heads to Gloucester next Friday (7) while Swampscott has a bye.