LYNN — The fourth annual Lynn “Stop The Violence” 7-on-7 Football Tournament hit Manning Field Thursday night and drew quite a crowd thanks to a group effort from lead sponsor Stop The Violence.
“The Stop The Violence committee put this on for the fourth year and it has been going amazing,” Ward 6 Councilor Fred Hogan, who helped organize the event said. “The turnout was amazing tonight. The high school division was 80 to 100 kids alone.”
The event drew in 16 teams competing in three different age groups: elementary school, middle school and high school. All five Lynn high schools were represented with teams from English, Classical, St. Mary’s, Tech and KIPP Academy plus two more alumni teams rounding out the high school division.
“We’re at the point where we’re growing it so much in the future I could be here until midnight and I don’t want to be here that long,” Hogan said. “I told everyone, being a councilor I’m never going to stop what I’m doing. I’m always going to do this stuff. The whole Stop The Violence committee is unbelievable.”
Each elementary, middle and alumni team also had at least one girl on its roster, including an all-girls team in the high school division.
“Each team has a girl too so it’s a co-ed type of event,” Hogan said. “It is male dominated but the high school division has an all-girls team. We try to open it up to everyone, it doesn’t matter who. It’s a huge community event.”
The first round of the high school division was highlighted by wins from Classical and English. The Rams, led by quarterback Danny Gisonno and key plays from wide receivers Andy Gomez and Maurice Sequriea, overcame a 12-point deficit to beat St. Mary’s 13-12 after Ola Joloaso sealed the game with an interception, while English cruised by Tech.
English and Classical faced off in the semifinal round, with the Bulldogs grabbing a 19-7 win. English was led by the quarterback duo of Mathias Fowler and Jessie Maggs. Tahj Purter was all over the field for the Bulldogs, hauling in three touchdowns and an interception in the semifinals.
“Mathias has been a two-year starter at receiver and corner,” English coach Chris Carroll said. “He’s a tremendous receiver and he’s making that transition to quarterback for us. He’s very athletic and smart, a real good leader with a strong arm. He’s going to be fun to watch.
“Jessie is a tall quarterback with a strong arm,” Carroll added. “(Fowler and Maggs) compliment each other well. When Jessie goes to quarterback, we’re able to put Fowler back at wide receiver. With some of the other guys we have at wide receiver, especially Tahj Purter, we’re pretty dangerous.”
English went on to beat one of the two alumni teams in the championship game to take home the tournament crown.
Putting together the tournament was a true group effort, with sponsors, volunteers and Stop the Violence allowing teams to register and play free of charge.
“This was a fully sponsored event,” Hogan said. “Ram Electric donated the footballs. One of my old basketball players from Lynn English — Georgia Curtis and her husband Matt — they donated all 26 cases of water.
“All the councilors and sponsors, there were so many, and they make this whole thing possible,” Hogan said. “It’s a group effort. The referees are all volunteers and it all went pretty smooth.”
A full list of sponsors includes Ward 6 Councilor Fred Hogan, State Rep. Peter Capano, Lynn Police Association, Marion St. Auto Body, McCarriston Plumbing and Heating, Skyler McCarriston, PC McCarriston, Chelsea House, Grant Communications, Brian Field: Councilor at Large, John Ford School Committee, Lorraine Gately: School Committee, Jared Nicholson: School Committee, Brendan Crighton: State Senate, Julianna’s Hair Salon, Rick’s Auto Collision and Auto Works Collision Center.