LYNN — Two programs with rich histories of success — and former conference foes — kicked off under the lights at Manning Field Friday night.
Marblehead flipped its own script. After dropping its season-opener the past two years, the Magicians struck early and controlled the game en route to a 21-6 win against Lynn English.
Senior quarterback Finn Gallup shook off a slow start to lead the way. After going just 2-of-5 for 9 yards and taking a 25-yard sack in the first quarter, he settled in and picked apart the Bulldogs’ defense. Gallup finished 8-of-13 for 165 yards and three touchdowns.
Gallup’s first score came on a fourth-and-7 play midway through the second quarter, when he connected with Breydan Callahan for a 37-yard score. The extra point missed, but Marblehead went into halftime ahead, 6-0.
In the third quarter, Gallup found Owen Coyne across the middle for a 28-yard touchdown, then hit him again early in the fourth. Coyne (3 receptions, 106 yards) broke free in the open field and sprinted to the end zone for a 21-0 cushion.
The Magicians’ running game also set the tone. Callahan broke free for a 55-yard run on his first carry and finished with 113 yards rushing.
English leaned heavily on quarterback Shane Knowlton-Simard and running back Xavier Beauchamp. Simard rushed for 170 yards, while Beauchamp added 94.
But the Bulldogs were stopped short on key fourth-down attempts, with Marblehead’s defense coming up big each time.
Late in the fourth quarter, after the Bulldogs forced Marblehead to punt, fans held out hope for a comeback with less than four minutes remaining. That said, Marblehead’s Madden Lyons intercepted a deep pass and returned it to English territory.
Gallup kneeled out the clock to seal the Magicians’ first win of the season.
Marblehead hosts Bishop Fenwick next Friday, looking to avenge last year’s 25-6 loss to the Crusaders. English will try to rebound on the road in Swampscott, which dropped its opener to St. Mary’s.
