Lynn’s Youth Football League teams well represented in post-season

LYNN ? The Lynn Chargers will be well represented this weekend with two teams competing in the first round of the Northeastern Conference Youth Football League playoffs.In the Gladiator Division (seventh and eighth graders), Lynn will bring a 7-1 record into their game against Beverly Black Sunday at 3 p.m. In the Spartan Division (fifth and sixth graders), an undefeated Lynn team (8-0) will play Peabody Black at noon. Both games are at Bishop Fenwick High School in Peabody.Both Lynn teams have put some serious numbers on the scoreboard this season. The Gladiator Division team won its first game of the season, lost its second, and then went on a six-game winning streak to end the season.?We’re definitely a running team,” coach Fred Clay said. “We probably score 35 points per game.”In youth football, a kick is worth two points and a conversion (run or pass) is worth one point. The older Chargers started going to the kick after the loss to Beverly and it’s been a big part of their game ever since. David Bernard took on the kicking duties and done very well, with Carter Clay a rock at center.?I think getting the two points gets the team more fired up than actually scoring the touchdown,” Clay said. “It’s a huge part in turning the season around.”His team relies heavily on its ground game with Cameron Green (15 touchdowns) playing a huge role. Eric Adinkra has also been productive offensively with 10 touchdowns. James Wilkens has seven. Quarterback Jarnel Snow (5 passing touchdowns) runs the offense.Terrence McGaughey starts at right tackle and has been named to the Football University All-Star team. The FBU All-Stars are comprised of players from across the state. They’ll play two games to decided the New England Championship and then it?s on to Ohio for two regional games and if successful, the nationals in Texas.?He’s been outstanding,” Clay said.The defense is led by Chauncy Williams, Oliver Sanabia, Nick Hagen, Randy Martinez, Orlando Concepcion, and Dom Pasuy.The younger (Spartan Division) Lynn team is coached by Dajuan Thornton. In addition to an impressive offense that averages the maximum 35 points per game, the young Chargers play exceptional defense. They’ve only allowed one touchdown this season.?I preach defense,” Thornton said. “We don’t give up too many first downs.”The message has sunk in. Angel Martinez, Adonis Sanchez, Jayden Thornton, and Anthony Timmons are impressive at linebacker. Ryan Dewan, Joe Davis, Jr., and Charles Giardina are on the line. Fifth grader Wes Chandler has made an impact on defense.The younger Charger team also relies on quarterback Jamari Brown, who has thrown a half dozen touchdown passes, to run the show. Sanchez leads the way in rushing touchdowns with 22. Martinez has 15. Thornton and James Guy have also found the end zone several times.This is the seventh season for the Lynn Chargers football program. League president Brian Lozzi said they started out with 75 players and cheerleaders the first season and the numbers have grown about 20-25 percent per year . There are currently at 210 kids with four football levels and four cheerleading levels. The players range from first grade to eighth grade.The youth football playoffs only go two weekends. This weekend is the semifinals and the finals will be next week. There are no playoffs beyond that.?The league believes that all the money raised to go to a national competition is better off spent on new equipment and new uniforms,” Lozzi said.Swampscott also has a team in the Spartan Division. That team will play Salem Sunday at 1:30 p.m. at Bishop Fenwick.