One played football in the yellow and green of Lynn Classical, another in the Saugus red and white. Both, however, now suit up for UMass Dartmouth at the collegiate level.
Javien Delgado (Lynn) plays linebacker, while Marvens Jean (Saugus) carries the ball from the running back position. Both athletes have played major roles in Dartmouth’s 4-1 start to the season, and credit their North Shore high schools for a large portion of their success.
Delgado said there’s too much to say when talking about what he learned in Lynn, but his main takeaway was his love for the community, and how different groups in the city, and school, could come together around football.
His favorite memory – like many high school football players – was a Thanksgiving game. Their rival, Lynn English, was up four and kicking the ball to Classical in the game’s waning moments, but it was returned for a game-winning touchdown – much to the excitement of a jumping-up-and-down Delgado.
“It was on SportsCenter, it was on ESPN. That’s something that I’ll never forget.” Delgado said.
To this day, Delgado reminisces about his football days in Lynn, adding that he misses it “all the time.” Another reason for this was the environment on game nights.
“The games are always jumping, always packed. Football was the heart of our high school,” Delgado said. “Your high school is kind of getting talked up or talked down depending on how your football team is doing.”
Due to some hesitation on whether he should fully commit to college studies, join the military like his brother, or play football, Delgado had a decision to make. Now possessing feats of 11 sacks in a game – as well as 61 tackles in a season – for Dartmouth, he’s happy with the choice he made.
“Eventually I made the decision that I was going to stick with football, and I’m glad I did. Just the relationships I’ve made, the people I’ve met, that’s forever.” Delgado said.
For Jean, his mother was initially worried about her son tying up the cleats, but he wound up making varsity as a freshman at Saugus High years later. During his tenure with the Sachems, his biggest takeaway was how much hard work can pay off.
If there’s one thing a pep rally can do, it’s make high school football players excited. Seeing the different grades take part in activities and come together for the Thanksgiving game proved to be Jean’s favorite memory. He described the day as “unbelievable to see.”
“Those memories of growing up with those kids, I don’t know, it’s just different,” Jean said.
Four years later, his football coaches helped him get connected with various schools, and UMass Dartmouth won the prize.
Now, Delgado and Jean are teammates. On top of that, they both received MASCAC offensive and defensive player of the week honors in the same week this season – a week one matchup against Husson being the scene. Jean ran for 254 yards on the ground, while Delgado racked up seven tackles and forced a fumble.
Both of them agreed that the key to victory that day was how the offense and defense were able to thrive off of each other’s success and energy.
“We knew we had to make a statement,” Jean said. “Before we even stepped foot on that field, we knew it was going to be tough for them.”
In the classroom, Delgado is a business management major, and says he’s excited to go into an industry he feels is very broad. With an internship out of the way and graduation coming up soon, Delgado hopes the industry can help him become more of a leader. Jean majors in finance, and through his current courses, loves all of the aspects the finance industry has to offer.
Dartmouth football looks to defeat Mass. Maritime on the road this Thursday, Oct. 6 where Delgado and Jean look to continue their success, and remember their North Shore-roots.
Joey Barrett can be reached at [email protected]
