LYNN — Not much needs to be said to get the English football team pumped up for Thursday’s Thanksgiving clash with crosstown rival Classical.
English has won the last two Turkey Day games (shutouts of 38-0 and 14-0) and three of the last four. Coach Chris Carroll and his Bulldogs are looking to maintain that success.
“We take a lot of pride in that,” Carroll, a former English quarterback, said. “Thanksgiving’s a game you always remember. You want to win it every single year. The records don’t matter. It’s unique because we have this inner-city game in Lynn. I’ve been fortunate enough to be part of it for a long time now.
“It’s a whole different game. The motivation’s there. It’s crosstown rivals. It’s such a huge rivalry game. The kids will be ready to go and we’re excited.”
English (6-4) has relied on its offense all season long. Mathias Fowler, who splits time at quarterback and receiver, is “as versatile a weapon as there is in the state,” Carroll said. “He can run the ball, throw the ball and make big plays for us.”
Tahj Purter leads an athletic core of receivers and running back Sam Ofurie gives the Bulldogs a different dimension as a physical ball carrier. Jessie Maggs has started the last two games at quarterback and has tossed five touchdown passes over that span.
Carroll also spoke highly of his offensive line. Ryan Dewan, Tommy Gaylord, Nolan Mulcahy, Tyler Furlong and Greg Gomez lead the way up front.
“They’ve done a tremendous job all year long,” Carroll said. “We like to stay as balanced as possible in the run and pass. Everybody across the board, there’s a lot of responsibility that comes with that.”
Defensively, it’s been an up-and-down year.
“We need to improve defensively,” Carroll said. “Our defense has been good at times and has struggled at times. A stop here or there and we might have had different circumstances. Three of our four losses were by a combined six points. But we need to be better on Thanksgiving. We pride ourselves on our defense.”
Carroll knows English’s defense will have a tough task on its hands Thursday. Classical (6-4) has its own share of offensive playmakers across the board, led by dual-threat quarterback Daniel Gisonno.
“They’re a talented offense,” Carroll said of the Rams. “They can score points fast. We need to be ready in all phases of the game. We need to be ready for everything they’re able to throw at us.”
In addition to city bragging rights and keeping their string of recent success against Classical, English’s hoping to give its seniors one more win. English’s senior class includes Gaylord, Tyler Drinan, Traiquan Menter, Yamil Gutierrez, Ryan Bursey and Sean Calnan.
“It’s an important game for everyone,” Carroll said. “You remember all of them. But in the seniors’ cases, they’ve been great kids for our program. You always want to finish on a high note and I can’t think of a better way than for our seniors to end with a win on Thanksgiving.”
Kickoff is scheduled for 10 a.m. at Manning Field.
