Never say never, but Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the Agganis All-Star Football Game, the father/son duo from Lynn Classical might be sharing the turf for the last time.
Varsity football coach Brian Vaughan Sr. and his son, Brian Jr., will be representing South in its matchup against North at Manning Field.
“It’s an honor to coach in this game, just for what the game stands for [and] who Harry Agganis was,” Brian Sr. said of the legendary athlete from Lynn Classical, Boston University, and the Boston Red Sox. “It’s also important to recognize the scholarships for kids.”
Brian Sr. coached the Rams to a 6-5 season last fall, while his gunslinging son (2,204 passing yards, 24 touchdowns) was named Greater Boston League Most Valuable Player.
Classical fans get one more chance to see the aerial magic, as does the duo.
“We talked about having one more game together,” said Brian Sr., who has head coached one Agganis Game, while assisting two others. “I played in the Shriners and played in the Agganis, so to coach my son in both is special as well.”
Speaking of being special, Brian Jr. said it’s “definitely going to be emotional.”
“Playing for my dad has been something that I’m eternally grateful to experience,” he said. “It’s gone from Pop Warner, to winning a state championship in AAU basketball with him, to being his quarterback. … I definitely want to end it off with a big win and soak in the moment one last time.”
Also in their conversation together, Brian Sr. spoke to his son about what it means to play in the all-important game – one that began in 1956.
“One, just take in the moment of being considered a prospect,” he said. “Understand what these games are about – it’s to help others, in the grand scheme of things. We had conversations about that.”
Better yet, Brian Jr. gets the honor of wearing Agganis’ No. 33.
“Being chosen to wear Harry Agganis’ No. 33 for this game is a very big honor to me,” he said. “It’s going to feel amazing to wear his number on Wednesday.”
“We talked about how special that is, and what it means,” Brian Sr. said. “Obviously, it’s a special number in the City of Lynn, and to wear it is a huge honor.”
As for the game itself, Brian Sr. touched upon the balance between competition and fun.
“I’m going to be honest with you, we try to make it fun. Obviously, you can’t install too much (preparation),” he said. “We try to have fun and do some crazy things with the kids so they have smiles on their faces. Wednesday should be fun.”
Oh, and “you never know” about a potential trick play, according to Brian Sr.
“I’m always excited to play football,” he said. “Both rosters have the best kids in the area.”
When it comes to the father/son duo, it’s been quite the story, but not always easy. Brian Jr. suffered a gruesome knee injury on Thanksgiving Day two years ago, among other setbacks.
But watching his son go through them – that’s what does it for Brian Sr.
“With his journey and his high school experience, it’s just watching the process of him facing adversity and overcoming it. That’s the special part about me being a part of his career and watching it up close,” he said. “For Brian, it’s the last time he gets to play at Manning Field, so it’s a special moment.”
