Bulldogs show grit in loss to Haverhill

HAVERHILL – Lynn English has shown resilience throughout this trying season and displayed that trait again during Friday night?s 10-7 loss to Haverhill in a Division 2 North quarterfinal game at McNamara Field at Haverhill Stadium.The Bulldogs (2-5) didn?t fold when their fine junior quarterback Jordan (Javier) Lark went down with a severe left knee injury on the game?s second play. Instead, anchored by a defense that yielded only a field goal, English buckled up and went head-to-head with the Hillies (6-2).?I?m very proud of the way we fought. We only have nine seniors but we?ve progressed to the point where we?re playing four full quarters every game,” said coach Peter Holey.In a first half filled with nine combined punts, Haverhill?s defense produced the only points when defensive end Matt Burns intercepted Chris Lessard?s screen pass and rumbled 17 yards for a touchdown. Pat Yale?s PAT made it 7-0 with 19 seconds left in the first quarter.It stayed that way until 2:46 remained in the third quarter when Yale?s 25-yard field goal stretched the lead to 10-0.English?s offense struggled through three quarters, managing just 59 net yards with Lark out. A fourth-quarter switch to the Pistol helped the Bulldogs double their output.Kyle O?Connor?s 38-yard punt return gave English its best field position at the Haverhill 37. Zach Lozzi scored in short order, sweeping the left side from 25 yards. Lessard?s PAT made it 10-7 midway through the fourth quarter. Two interceptions by Yale in the final three minutes kept English at bay.Lark played at Haverhill last season and Holey said he had a superb week of practice.?I feel bad because he wanted to come in here and put on a show. But, you have to roll with the punches. Next man up,” Holey said.In this case, whole team up.