LYNN — An English-Swampscott football game is big enough on its own merits.
The two schools are are just over two miles from each other now. But even if it wasn’t always that way, the history and proximity of athletes between the two schools has made for a great rivalry.
“After Classical, this is my favorite game,” says English coach Chris Carroll, after the Bulldogs beat Swampscott, 27-14, Saturday.
Beyond the rivalry, there is the Blydell Cup, an award established three years ago and given to the victor of the English-Swampscott game. Jeff Blydell, who died in 2015, was a coach in Lynn and Swampscott, and Carroll played for him in the North Shore Baseball League. This was English’s second straight victory over the Big Blue.
But perhaps biggest of all for Carroll, his quarterback, senior Matt Severance, broke his career passing record.
Carroll finished his career with the Bulldogs in 2006 with 3,918 yards. Coming into Saturday’s game, Severance had 3,910. He took care of catapulting past Carroll on his first completion — a 10-yarder.
“I couldn’t think of a better kid to do it,” said Carroll. “He’s just a tremendous kid, and he’s earned this. Just to show you, he spent most of the day handing off (to Ishmile Bangura, who had 212 yards on 27 carries) and he didn’t care. All he wants to do is win the game, it doesn’t bother him if he hands off all day.”
“It’s been crazy,” said Severance. “But it’s a honor, especially when you see how highly regarded (Carroll) is in the city, especially as a person. All-around.”
Severance’s statistics were not gaudy Saturday. He threw for 58 yards and ran for 45. But, as Carroll said, he made plays on both ends of the field. With Swampscott driving deep in English territory in the third quarter, Severance stepped up after an English player tipped a pass thrown by Swampscott’s Graham Inzana and picked it off. He nearly had another one the next time the Big Blue came close, this one in the end zone, but it bounced off his hands.
“That’s what I mean,” said Carroll. “Here he is, one of the best quarterbacks we’ve had in the school, and he’s making defensive plays all over the field too.
“And it was important. Our defense has had some problems lately, and today we stood up really well.”
Severance, who has a 4.2 grade-point average, preferred to deflect credit.
“I want to give a shoutout to our defensive backs and to our coaching staff,” he said. “They did a good job of putting schemes in, and it worked to our favor. Swampscott is a good team.”
Both teams are now 4-1.
