LYNN — The Lynn Tech Tigers and the KIPP Academy Panthers battled in a pre-Thanksgiving appetizer on Wednesday night, with the Panthers coming out on top 38-12 to finish out the season at Manning Field.
KIPP head coach Jim Rabbitt said that when these two teams go up against each other, it’s always going to be a battle.
“We played hard, we played fast and the guys stepped up,” he said. “I’m so proud of the guys, especially the seniors.
KIPP was without junior quarterback Juan Setalsingh, who was forced to sit out due to a shoulder injury. That didn’t prove to be a problem as it only took the Panthers three plays to find the end zone to start off the game.
After starting the drive on its own 38-yard line, Piero Canales connected with Jaythean Im for a 61-yard touchdown pass. Canales converted the two-point conversion to give the Panthers a 8-0 lead just over a minute into the game.
“He (Canales) was our quarterback before and it looked like he didn’t lose a step,” Rabbitt said.
It was a historic night for Im, who eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving for the Panthers. His night ended with six catches for 145 yards and two receiving touchdowns.
After the Panthers forced a fumble on the 50-yard line with 7:28 left in the first quarter, Canales rushed the ball into the end zone — this time with less than four minutes left in the opening quarter.
The Tigers then gained possession on their own 18-yard line and kept the ball as the game entered the second quarter. Tech was forced to punt with just under 11 minutes left in the first half, but the Panthers offense didn’t even get a chance to step onto the field as Im returned the punt 70 yards for a touchdown.
After a failed two-point conversion, KIPP boasted a 20-0 lead.
Tech started its next drive with good field position at its own 42-yard line, and this time the Tigers were able to take advantage when junior Tyler David threw a 50-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Ethan Prum. The Tigers were unable to convert the two-point conversion and cut the deficit to 20-6 with just over 10 minutes left in the half.
After a turnover on downs from KIPP gave Tech possession at its own 37-yard line, the Tigers were able to drive all the way down to their opponents 26-yard line. With 1:30 left in the second quarter, Vic Mafo snagged an interception to give the Panthers possession. Nearly 30 seconds later, Mafo caught a 67-yard touchdown pass that gave KIPP a 26-6 lead after a failed two-point conversion.
The second half didn’t get off to a great start for the Tigers as after starting its first drive of the third quarter at its own 30-yard line, Tech threw an interception with over seven minutes left in the quarter. Im snagged the interception that gave KIPP possession at that same spot after the Tigers drove into Panthers territory.
The 30-yard drive concluded with a three-yard touchdown catch by Mafo for his second touchdown of the game. The Panthers failed to convert on the two-point conversion but boasted a 32-6 lead with 4:16 left in the third quarter.
Tech started the ensuing drive on its own 38-yard line with 4:08 left in the third quarter. The Tigers went on a lengthy six-minute drive that ended with a 10-yard rushing touchdown from David that made the deficit 32-12 for Lynn Tech after a failed two-point conversion.
KIPP found the end zone once more as Im caught his second touchdown of the night with 7:42 left in the second quarter. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful, but the Panthers secured the 38-12 victory.
Tech finished its season with a 3-8 record, while KIPP finished the year at 9-2. The Panthers now control the Thanksgiving rivalry with a record of 2-1.
