LYNN — The KIPP Academy Panthers made history this season.
They finished the regular season a program-best 5-2, made their first Division 8 North state tournament appearance and grabbed their first sectional championship.
But that doesn’t mean the Panthers are looking past Wednesday afternoon’s (4) matchup with crosstown rival Tech at Manning Field. In addition to city bragging rights, the Panthers are playing for a Commonwealth Athletic Conference Small championship.
“There’s minimal external motivation that’s needed,” KIPP coach Jim Rabbitt said. “This game’s for the CAC Small title and our Thanksgiving trophy. One thing about our players this year is they understand what’s at stake. They’ve risen to the occasion every time. It’s great to watch that progression every week.”
Tech won the first running of the Panthers-Tigers rivalry with a 24-8 win last year.
“It’s a great rivalry to have,” Rabbitt said. “Anytime you can have an inner-city rivalry, it’s a great thing for both teams. These kids know each other, they grew up with each other. Practicing 500 yards away from them, we peer over and they peer over. I’m hoping this is a rivalry that can continue for many years in the future.”
KIPP knows what Tech’s all about. Running backs Haidar Bdaiwi and Gabriel Perez are the engines that make the Tigers’ offense go.
“Tech has good size up front,” Rabbitt said. “We know they have toughness. (Tech) Coach (James) Runner’s a spectacular coach. We know they’ll have a solid game plan and they’ll be ready to execute. You always say on Thanksgiving that records don’t matter. We know Haidar and Gabriel are great running backs. We know they have a tough defense. It’s going to be a good game.”
With a defense that has excelled as of late, the Panthers (8-3) feel ready to go against Tech’s ground game.
“It’s strength versus strength,” Rabbitt said. “Our strength is our front seven. If they want to ground and pound against us, it plays to our strength. It’s an interesting matchup, their best against our best. It’s up to our front seven. Those two backs can make you miss and run through you. It’s difficult. But we’re accustomed to ground and pound football.”
Offensively, the Panthers won’t deviate from their norm. Rabbitt’s confident that KIPP has plenty of reliable threats ready to help move the chains.
“We stick to what’s worked for us all year,” Rabbitt said. “We had six different players score a touchdown in the Div. 8 North final. It’s hard for teams to game plan against us. We can do it in the air or on the ground. We can throw different things at our opponents. We have Daniel (Oluwasyi), Taj (King), Dave (Filias), Piero (Canales) and Joseph (Tolentino). That’s five different playmakers.”
KIPP’s hoping to send its two seniors, running back/linebacker Jonathan Caraballo and two-way lineman Kemyi Suarez, out on a winning note.
“They understand their roles to the team,” Rabbitt said. “Jonathan has three touchdowns this season so he’s certainly had his hand in there. Kemyi’s a rotational lineman. He’s really excelled in his role. They’ve been great all-around leaders.”
