LYNN — The last time Lynn had this much success, involving so many of its schools, was in 2001, when all four boys basketball teams — at the time — all reached the North Sectional finals.
All four teams made the bus ride up to Lowell: English in Division 1, Classical and Tech playing each other in Division 3, and St. Mary’s in Division 4.
This fall, something truly unprecedented is happening. Four of Lynn’s five teams — English, Classical, Tech and St. Mary’s — are 5-0 with two regular-season games to go each.
Each breezed to victory over the weekend. Classical had perhaps the toughest time, breaking away down the stretch for a 28-14 victory over previously-unbeaten Danvers.
The other three games were routs: English over Swampscott 36-7 (also knocking the Big Blue from the ranks of the unbeaten); Tech over KIPP Academy 47-0; and St. Mary’s defeating Arlington Catholic 52-14.
“This is great for Lynn,” said Classical coach Brian Vaughan, who played for Lynn English and coached for the Bulldogs before embarking on a coaching journey that took him to Pope John, Boston English and South Boston before returning to Classical. “You hear so much negative stuff about Lynn, but most of it comes from people who don’t live here.”
With two regular-season games left before the seedings are announced for the North Sectional playoffs, both English and Classical have to tangle with 4-1 Salem, and both games are at Manning Field, starting Friday night when the Witches play the Bulldogs. English’s opponent in Week 7 is Winthrop,, also at Manning.
Classical is at 3-2 Somerville this Friday and home next Friday against Salem.
St. Mary’s has a big game Friday at 3-2 Archbishop Williams before concluding its regular season this Saturday night against Austin Prep.
Tech plays its traditional game Saturday against Northeast Regional, with the players from both teams honoring alumni who were killed in auto accidents — Rick Drislanen for the Tigers and Ed Repucci for the Golden Knights — and then finishes up Saturday at home against Greater Lowell.
“This has to fun for you guys (The Item),” said English coach Chris Carroll. “Week to week, who do you cover?”
With Classical and English being in the same sectional (3), they will possibly be pitted against each other during the upcoming playoffs, meaning that come Thanksgiving, at least one of the two teams will have a loss.
