Senior class leaves with a winning legacy

LYNN – When the St. Mary?s football team took the field Thursday against Lynn Tech, it marked the final game for one of the winningest classes to ever come through the St. Mary?s football program. The seniors on this year?s football team compiled a 37-9-0 record during their tenure at St. Mary?s, which is one of the best if not the best four year record in the history of St. Mary?s.Leading the charge for the Spartans was senior running back Jordan Manthorne. Manthorne, a Peabody native, first came to St. Mary?s his freshman year. He is also a member of the varsity hockey team and plans to try out for baseball again this season.Manthorne, one of four children and son of Heath and Joy, is looking to continue his football career next season at either Endicott College in Beverly or Framingham State University.?I think he (Manthorne) will be an asset to either Endicott or Framingham State,” coach Matt Durgin said. “Every time we took the field, we knew we were going to get a strong effort out of him. He practiced hard, played hard, and was a strong leader on and off the field. He is a great kid and it was a pleasure to coach him.”After a hiatus from football his sophomore year, Manthorne has been a vital part of not only the football program, but of the St. Mary?s overall community. “St. Mary?s is such a tight-knit community where everyone knows each other, and I truly enjoy that,” said Manthorne. “It’s going to be hard to leave such a strong community. I will miss it for sure. I would like to thank coach Durgin for the support he showed me over the past couple years. I took sophomore year off but he never gave up on me. He was always there for me and I appreciate that.”Senior Rodolfo Jimenez also had similar thoughts when it came to Durgin.?When I first came to St. Mary?s I really did not have any intention of playing football until I met coach Durgin,? said Jimenez. “After working with the team, I began to see that these coaches, especially coach Durgin, truly care about me. I know that even when I graduate I can call him up and he will always be there for me.”Jimenez was on the team for four years and was a force to be reckoned on both sides of the field on the line. He also provided great leadership for upperclassmen and underclassmen alike.?Rodolfo has been a huge contributor on both sides of the game,” said Durgin. “He has been a strong leader who has led by example in a positive way. Additionally, I cannot say enough about him off the field. He is a true gentleman.”St. Mary’s finished the season 7-4.