LYNN– Aidan Dow isn’t the loudest player on Classical’s football team.
But Dow’s impact was certainly felt in Thursday’s 22-9 win over Thanksgiving rival English at Manning Field.
Dow intercepted two passes in the win, helping Classical snap a 2-game Thanksgiving losing streak in which the Rams were blanked on both occasions.
“It feels amazing,” Dow, a receiver/linebacker said. “Over the last few years it’s been pretty tough. To be able to help out with two interceptions meant the world to me.”
His first interception stretched Classical’s lead from 7-2 to 15-2 halfway through the third quarter. After the Rams were stopped short on a fake punt attempt, English took over and moved the ball to Classical’s 25-yard line. That’s when Dow stepped in front of English quarterback Jessie Maggs’ pass attempt, intercepted the throw and returned it 75 yards for a touchdown.
“I saw that they ran an out route and then a hitch out route, so I knew the hitch was coming again,” Dow said. “I just decided, ‘I’m going to sell out on this play and try to go for the pick.'”
Dow’s second interception stopped English at Classical’s 42 with 4:07 remaining in the fourth quarter. Dow leaped for the ball, tipped the pass and corralled it before coming down with the ball for the interception.
“Once again, I saw my teammates get to him the backfield,” Dow, a pitcher/first baseman on Classical’s baseball team, said. “I just knew he was throwing it up and he was going to take a chance because it was toward the end of the game.”
Classical proceeded to run out the remainder of the clock, sealing its 22-9 victory.
“We got out there every play and make sure we can create the best opportunity for the offense to score,” Dow said. “That’s our goal on defense. Get a stop so the offense can score.”
Dow’s impact impressed both coaches.
“That second interception was a great play by Aidan,” English coach Chris Carroll said. “That first one was a great play too but the tipped interception was kind of the dagger right there. It’s a game of opportunities and we didn’t make the most of ours.”
“The second interception was Aidan being Aidan, making a play,” Vaughan said. “He’s been doing that all year when we’ve needed him. From blocked punts in other games to picks in other games. That pick was unreal. Tipping it, then falling down and catching it. That was one of the best plays I’ve seen in a long time. I’m so happy for him and I’m honored to have been able to coach him.”
Dow said he couldn’t have asked for a better ending to his high school football career. Dow and his fellow seniors end their Classical tenures with three consecutive winning seasons.
“This means a lot,” Dow said. “We don’t have many guys coming back next year. I’m really glad we got one this year so I’m really glad we got this one this year to go out on a high note.”
