LYNN — Ahead of Brian Smith’s debut season as Lynn Classical’s football coach, he said he wanted toughness and week-by-week improvement.
You could say those goals were met Saturday.
The Rams (1-4) won their first game of the Smith era, 13-8, against Malden at Manning Field.
Doug Andrade got things started with a 5-yard rushing touchdown. Despite an unsuccessful two-point attempt, Classical held a 6-0 lead with 5:20 remaining in the opening quarter.
“Offensively, we moved the ball when we had to,” Smith said.
That score stayed put until the 1:53 mark of the second quarter, when Angel Ortega connected with Kalu Nasky for a 36-yard Classical touchdown. Andrade kicked in the extra point (13-0).
In the second half, the Rams failed to score more points, but the defense did its job. A highlight was when Nasky intercepted Malden quarterback Billy Gavin.
“Defensively, we played lights out the whole game,” Smith said. “They hadn’t scored until the fourth quarter, and even that was set up by one of our turnovers.”
Despite an 8-yard touchdown from Gavin to cut Malden’s deficit to five (13-8), the hosts held on. Charles Washington converted a key fourth down for the Rams, who killed the clock from there.
Classical has been defeated by Lawrence, Everett, Medford, and Cathedral. But with Saturday’s win, the Green and Gold hope to start a winning streak, beginning with next Saturday’s home game against Tech Boston Academy at 11 a.m.
From there, it will be Revere (home), Somerville (away), and traditional archrival Lynn English (home) on Thanksgiving Day.
