LYNN — A lot of things happened Wednesday evening at Manning Field. KIPP’s football team cruised past Lynn Tech, Morenel Castro left his mark as a Panther with a few broken records, and – on rivalry night – it got chippy.
With the fourth quarter in running time, KIPP went no-huddle in search of a late touchdown. After falling short, but winning 45-19, teams met for the handshake line.
It didn’t end there.
After Tech coach James Runner and KIPP coach Jim Rabbitt exchanged words at midfield – Rabbitt more so on the defensive side – assistant coaches on both ends, as well as KIPP alumni, shouted at one another. A few had to be separated.
“You could tell it was a rivalry environment, especially at the end of the game there,” Rabbitt said. “We were trying to get our guys some touches at the end of the running clock and it’s a rivalry game. I have great respect for coach Runner. Things were said today, but that’s all right. It’s a great rivalry and great for the city. We’ll keep playing.”
Runner said he hopes everyone got home safely and that there were “a lot of emotions going on throughout the game.”
“You’re talking about kids who go to school 100 yards away from each other, so it is what it is,” Runner said.
The rivalry is just five years old. Tech defeated KIPP in 2018’s kickoff meeting, but the Panthers have since won the last four.
As for this one, Castro did it all. He caught three touchdowns, ran for another two, racked up four plays of 20-plus yards, and even had a punt return touchdown called back in the second quarter.
He’s KIPP’s all-time leader in receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, catches, and total touchdowns. Wednesday, he broke single-season records in the same four categories.
“I give him lots of props for doing that. Four years in the same program – he should be breaking some records, especially when you get the ball enough times,” Runner said.
Rabbitt said he’s one of the program’s all-time greats.
“He ended his high school career the way it should,” Rabbitt said. “It’s tough to see him go.”
Castro got things started with 5-yard rushing scores in the first and second quarters.
“We really stuck to the game plan, but also adjusted a lot to the defense. We saw some holes in their defense and just executed,” Castro said. “I owe a lot of it to my coaching staff and teammates, obviously. I’ve worked hard to be where I’m at, so I just know what I need to do.”
Hold on. Tech’s Alberto Gerardo raced for an 80-yard kick return touchdown down the left sideline to cut KIPP’s lead to 15-13 with 9:53 remaining in the second quarter.
“I thought in the first half, we played OK, but certainly gave up some chances,” Rabbitt said. “I don’t like undisciplined football and it was undisciplined a little bit.”
Quarterback Jadiel Ortega tossed one to Ethan Prum for Tech’s other touchdown.
“I’m so proud of seniors Ethan, Cesar (Reyes), and Alberto,” Runner said.
Castro found the endzone twice more in the first half, including a 46-yard receiving touchdown capped off by his explosive speed.
“I saw I was in one-on-one coverage, asked for the ball, and my quarterback put it where it needed to be,” Castro said.
That quarterback was Chanel Gutierrez, who wasn’t bad, either. The righty threw for four touchdowns, including his final one to Castro to go ahead 45-13 in the second half.
“I just think the mindset changed,” Rabbitt said of the second half. “Guys figured out that they really needed to play hard here, and they did.”
Reyes bolted for a 28-yard touchdown late, but it wasn’t enough for the Tigers.
KIPP finished its season 8-3, while Tech fell to 5-6.
