LYNN — Over the past two months, teams at Lynn Classical have finally gotten the taste of what it feels like to get back on the fields and courts for the first time since the pandemic started.
Now it’s Brian Vaughan and the Classical football team’s chance to get back to work.
“The kids have been excited out there at practice,” Vaughan said. “Really, more than anything they’re just having fun. For the most part, they haven’t been able to participate in any sports for a year. It’s been a long time and we’re all grateful for this opportunity.”
This season will only include four games, but Classical is planning on making the most of every minute of it in its first year as members of the Greater Boston League. Opponents like Everett and Malden will bring a new challenge this year, and of course there’s a game against Thanksgiving rival Lynn English to look forward to in a few weeks
“Everett is Everett, they’ve been putting together a great team for years now,” Vaughan said. “English always does a great job with their team. Malden has some things in place and their kids are turning things around. We’re expecting some tough games this year, but our kids are excited to get to work.”
For now, the focus is on another new GBL opponent in Revere, who the Rams will host at Manning Field Friday for their season opener. Vaughan knows exactly what to expect from a tough Patriots team.
“We’ve played Revere every year since I’ve been coaching here,” Vaughan said. “I’m good friends with their coach Lou Cicatelli. He does a great job over there and this is another week we’re expecting a great game with them.”
A core group of five captains will lead the Rams through the gauntlet of tough games this spring. Four senior captains include Edgar Ramirez returning at quarterback, Nicholas Galeazzi at linebacker and running back, Howard Guerrero Vega in the secondary and Orlando Concepcion Saldana on both sides of the line. Junior Nicholas Tinkham, another anchor on the offensive and defensive lines, rounds out the group.
“Those four are our senior leaders,” Vaughan said. “And Nick Tinkham is a junior who started for us last year. He’s become a leader in the offseason and the kids have really responded to him.”
In 2019, Classical was all about improvement and it did just that with four straight wins to qualify for the Division 3 North state tournament. The Rams eventually closed out the year with a 22-9 win against English on Thanksgiving.
That may be in the distant past now and there may not be a tournament to strive for, but improvement is still the name of the game for Vaughan and the Rams as they make the most of their return to the field.
“For us, what we’re trying to do is go out there and try to get better every week,” Vaughan said. “We’re going to work on some things just like we did in previous years. Obviously this year is about the seniors so we’ll get the younger guys ready for the fall and send them out on a high note.”
Classical and Revere kick off the season Friday (6).
