LYNN — The English football team had to wait four weeks for its home opener. But it was well worth the wait.
The Bulldogs dominated from start to finish, cruising to a 42-0 win over Gloucester Friday night at Manning Field.
English’s defense had a big night, forcing three first-half turnovers and giving its offense a short field to work with most of the game.
“The defense played great,” English coach Chris Carroll said. “The shutout was great, but just the way they played was impressive. We played fast, our linebackers were filling holes and our line was eating up blockers. They just played fast and physical. That’s what we preach.”
Mathias Fowler did it all in this one. Starting the game at quarterback, Fowler completed 9-of-16 passes for 175 yards and one touchdown, ran for 79 yards and two touchdowns and caught two passes, one for a touchdown, for 55 yards. Fowler also added an interception on defense.
“Mathias had a nice bounce back game,” Carroll said. “He ran in two touchdowns, threw one and caught one. Not many kids can do that. DJ Brathwaite had a few big catches. Wes Chandler blocked really well. Tahj Purter had another typical few big catches. But Mathias leads us and he led the way (Friday).”
After a scoreless first quarter, English got on the board early in the second. Fowler capped an 81-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown scamper to put the Bulldogs ahead 7-0 (Tyler Drinan kick).
From there a couple turnovers from the Bulldogs’ defense gave the offense a short field.
Fowler picked off a Gloucester pass and got to work fast on offense, hitting Purter (three catches, 109 yards, one touchdown) for a 39-yard gain through the air. Then Sam Ofurie ran in a 20-yard touchdown to stretch the lead to 14-0.
English forced a Gloucester fumble next and Fowler took advantage with a 2-yard touchdown scamper to give English a 21-0 lead before the half.
The Bulldogs didn’t take their foot off the gas pedal in the second half. Fowler hit Purter down the right sideline and the junior wide receiver made a pair of defenders miss on a 59-yard touchdown catch to stretch the lead to 28-0.
From there sophomore Jessie Maggs (3-for-4, 68 yards, one touchdown) took over at quarterback while Fowler moved to wide receiver. The offense didn’t skip a beat.
Maggs hit Fowler on a 27-yard touchdown pass to put the Bulldogs ahead 35-0.
Joshua Transtamar ran in a 22-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter to seal the 42-0 win for the Bulldogs.
“Most importantly for me special teams had a big game and defense,” Carroll said. “Our defense carried the momentum and kept Gloucester off the field. We started a little slow on offense. Not to make excuses but I think the wind played a little bit of a factor at first. Maybe some first-home-game jitters. But we settled down and ran the game plan.”
Now the Bulldogs (3-1) shift their focus to a tough Northeastern Conference matchup at home against Revere Saturday (1).
“Revere is a tough team,” Carroll said. “They have good skill players and are very well coached. Always a tough opponent, we haven’t played them in a couple years. It should be a great game.”
