LYNN — For two seasons, Marcus Tucker played a key role in helping turn the Classical football program around. A hard-nosed running back who sometimes flew under the radar, Tucker gave the Rams’ dynamic offense a reliable option out of the backfield. He helped the Rams log 15 wins through the 2017 and 2018 seasons after a 3-8 campaign in 2016.
Now he’ll face a similar challenge as he gears up for the next chapter of his football career. Tucker has committed to play college football at Division III Curry.
“I visited the campus multiple times,” Tucker, a three-year varsity player, said. “I met the players and coaches. I saw how the campus was and everything. That helped me make my decision.”
The Colonels are coming off a down year in 2018. Curry won two of its first three games but struggled to maintain its solid start. The Colonels finished 3-7, winning just one of six Commonwealth Coast Conference games.
“They have a very good program,” Tucker said. “I know they struggled a little bit last year but from what I’ve seen in the incoming players and returning players, they all work hard. We’re going to try and get right back on track.”
Tucker admitted he wasn’t sure if he’d get the chance to play at the collegiate level. He considered attending nearby Salem State without being able to play football. But Rams coach Brian Vaughan worked to get his senior running back looks from college coaches. Curry showed interest and it all came together for Tucker.
“Coach Vaughan helped me out a lot,” Tucker, who intends to major in business management, said. “He reached out to coaches and coaches would come to Classical to talk with me. He told me about Curry, I visited the campus and everything felt like a good fit from there.”
Tucker and the Rams fell short of what they hoped to accomplish during his senior campaign. Classical went 4-3 during the regular season but missed out on a state tournament bid. Rather than let that affect the rest of the season, the Rams won three of their next four games and proved they belonged in the postseason.
“We had a really good season and a really good team,” Tucker said. “I’d do anything for that team. We all worked hard every day, on and off the field. We always had the right mindset.”
Tucker credited his fellow seniors, a handful of which will also play college football, for keeping the team on the right track.
“Our senior class was very special,” Tucker said. “We had a lot of talent. Keith Ridley was a key piece on our team. He was always there, he worked hard every day and he was a leader. I’m proud of him for committing to B.C. Chase (Buono), Nashaun (Butler) and Albert (Guerrero) are all going to Framingham. I’m proud of them too. They’ve worked hard and they’re great kids. Our whole team is like a family. We’re always there for each other.”
