MALDEN — The Lynn English football team (3-2) won its third straight game with a thrilling 46-30 victory against Malden (1-4) Thursday evening. Quarterback Shane Knowlton-Simard accounted for four touchdowns — two passing and two rushing — while running back Xavier Beauchamp added 112 yards and two scores to power the Bulldogs’ offense.
In recent weeks, Knowlton-Simard has been difficult to contain and that continued in this one. He finished with 72 yards passing, while rushing for 186 yards on 23 carries.
The Bulldogs started fast, recovering two Malden fumbles on the game’s first two drives. Knowlton-Simard capitalized on the first with a 25-yard touchdown run to make it 8-0. After the second turnover, he connected with Makai Kirk for a 29-yard touchdown to double the lead at 16-0.
When asked about Knowlton-Simard’s performance, Lynn English coach Tyllor McDonald was full of praise for his dual-threat quarterback.
“He’s getting better every week. We all know he’s a great athlete and can run, but he’s putting it all together now with his arm. He’s such a good athlete that he’s able to pick everything up that we want to do as a team offensively. He helps us move the ball and he’s lights out when he gets going,” McDonald said. “This is his best performance overall this season. I can’t say enough about Shane. He’s playing hard and putting the team on his back.”
Malden battled back with consecutive rushing touchdowns from Jayden McGuffie to cut the deficit to 16-14. Both teams traded scores before halftime, with Lynn English’s coming on a Knowlton-Simard touchdown pass to Kassius Chea, giving the Bulldogs a 24-22 edge at the break.
“Shoutout to all the young guys who had to play tonight and stepped up. I had to start five freshmen and had to do it the last five weeks,” McDonald said. “I don’t think people realize how hard that is: starting 14-year-olds on varsity.”
In the second half, Beauchamp took over. The running back scored from 4 yards out and later added an 8-yard touchdown to extend the Bulldogs’ lead to 40-30.
“Beauchamp is the ultimate football player. He’s just a warrior. An undersized guy, but probably breaks 10-15 tackles a game. He’s strong with a low center of gravity. He’s just a football player. He’s a kid you would want to go to war with every week,” McDonald said. “There’s nothing more we can say about X. He’s a great kid and a great football player. Him and the offensive line have been playing lights out.”
On Malden’s next possession, the Bulldogs’ defense delivered a key fourth-and-4 stop to force a turnover on downs. Knowlton-Simard sealed the victory with a 9-yard rushing touchdown, capping a dominant, all-around performance.
Lynn English is back in action Friday, Oct. 17 when it welcomes Medford to Manning Field at 6 p.m.
