LYNN — As first-year Lynn English coach Tyllor McDonald won his debut game in the city’s most storied Thanksgiving rivalry – one that began in 1913 – he took a moment to appreciate what had just unfolded.
“It was awesome, man. It was everything I thought it would be,” said McDonald, whose Bulldogs took down Lynn Classical and more than a few raindrops in a 28-6 final at Manning Field.
And if Thursday morning was the most recent chapter in the rivalry book, you would’ve had to read through a few other McDonald pages to get there. The star quarterback (Class of 2011) went home with three touchdowns in a 22-12 win his senior year.
“It’s a blessing,” said McDonald, a 5,000-yard, 60-touchdown gunslinger in his day. “Just being able to come out here and get a win for my guys, it’s exciting.”
His Bulldogs were a hungry breed on Thursday, showing the City of Lynn why they averaged 21.5 points per game and reached the Division 3 state tournament this fall.
“Super proud,” McDonald said. “It all starts in the offseason, but once the holiday season is over, we’ve got to get right back to it.”
He was also proud of quarterback Jaiden Rosario, a senior who left Manning Field as the holiday hero. The righty was 17-for-20 with 226 yards and three touchdown passes.
“What he did today, he did all season,” McDonald said. “He took over. He’s one of our best leaders and today, it showed.”
But the 22-point win wasn’t easy – not by a long shot.
Classical completed a 21-play drive that chewed up 14:39 and ended with a Tyren Hoeun (47 yards rushing) touchdown on fourth-and-goal. The 86-yard drive tied the game, 6-6, in the first half after Rosario found Zamari Omosefe for the game’s first score.
“We tried to keep their offense off the field,” said Classical coach Brian Vaughan. “And I just think we kind of got away from that when we went down by two scores.”
English brought a 14-6 lead into the lockerroom. With just 18 seconds remaining in the first half, Rosario spotted another one of his guys, Jordan Em, for a 26-yard touchdown. Classical completely broke down in the secondary and left Em wide open.
“There are probably about 10 dudes who impressed me,” McDonald said. “I can name them all.”
He did. They were Jamaal Boyd, Kayden Brazzo, Nate Conde, Omosefe, Jordan Hernandez, Em, Limbert Thomas, Aaden Soto, and Cody Richardson.
English’s ground game made its way to the second half. Xavier Beauchamp bolted for a 34-yard score down the right sideline (20-6). Putting the cherry on top of everything was Rosario, who connected with Thomas for a 16-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter (28-6).
On the other side, Classical just couldn’t move the ball in the second half. English’s line held strong, while Em snagged an interception in the endzone.
“I’m familiar with Brian’s playcalling style, so I kind of had an idea what he wanted to do,” McDonald said. “When we went into halftime, we made a couple of adjustments and we were able to stop them.”
As for Classical, Hoeun and quarterback Javon Clayborn (74 yards rushing) did the damage. Jabin Pierre, the Rams’ leading receiver this fall, caught three balls for 17 yards.
“I think they had a great experience,” Vaughan said. “Even though the seniors lost today, they’re 3-1 on Thanksgiving. When they look back down the road, they should be proud of themselves.”
And for cousins McDonald and Vaughan, mark it down as another fond memory.
“Just to share the field with him is a blessing,” McDonald said.
Classical finished the season 3-8, while English upped its record to 7-4.
