LYNN — The lights were on at Manning Field as Lynn Tech and KIPP Academy squared off for their annual Thanksgiving Eve football game. With a 34-12 victory, KIPP captured its sixth consecutive win in a series that began in 2018.
Talk about setting the table. KIPP received the ball and scored on its first play when quarterback Elai Machado (3 TDs) found Euriel Feliz across the middle for a 54-yard touchdown.
“We had that one drawn up for the week and we knew that was going to be our go-to for the first play. We kept working it in all different situations — where their safety might roll to, how it might open up,” said KIPP coach Jim Rabbitt. “It’s great to score first, but it’s also great on Thanksgiving to steal momentum. I think that’s a good way to keep a team on its heels when you strike quickly. I was proud of how our guys executed.”
KIPP running back Aavian Peña accounted for three touchdowns and was a matchup nightmare as a rusher and receiver. He finished with 141 yards rushing.
“Aavian today. Aavian yesterday. Aavian all year. He’s been the guy that’s carried us. He’ll run the ball 15-20 times a game, plus receive the ball, plus make multiple tackles on defense, and lead the defense,” Rabbitt said. “He’s the kid — if you could create a player in high school — he’s the kid you create.”
The Panthers scored two more touchdowns — an 18-yard rushing score by Peña and 27-yard touchdown pass from Machado to Ryan Reynoso — to make it 20-0 at the end of the first quarter.
When asked about giving up two big-play touchdowns, Tech coach James Runner admitted his players weren’t in the right spots.
“We had a lot of guys out of position. We had a lot of guys not following the schemes that we called out,” Runner said. “Us, as coaches, we don’t coach to lose. We had some mishaps in regard to our coverages and where we had to be. I don’t take anything away from KIPP Academy. They do a good job over there. You have to give credit where credit is due.”
The Tigers found life in the second quarter. Jadiel Ortega connected with Eddie Lewis for a 43-yard reception that brought Tech to the 1-yard line. From there, Ortega kept the ball himself and punched one in to make it 27-6, which remained the halftime score.
In the second half, Machado found Peña for a touchdown and KIPP’s final score of the game.
Late in the fourth quarter, Jacob Garcia registered a 4-yard rushing touchdown for Tech, but it was too little, too late for the Tigers.
When asked about his senior group, Runner said it’s hard to let go.
“It’s always hard. You’ve got guys like Raffy (Rafael Ortiz De La Rosa), who’s been part of the program for five years. You have three other guys who have been part of it for four years and two other guys who have been here for three years. It’s not easy to see any of your guys graduate, especially kids you’ve seen grow up right in front of you,” he said. “Colin (McGough) has been around me for almost eight years. It’s good to see him work hard, but I hate to see him leave the program.”
Rabbitt spoke highly of Thanksgiving football.
“It doesn’t happen everywhere. It’s a very niche thing for the Northeast and a couple of other places. I think keeping Thanksgiving football in place — one way or the other — has to be a thing because there’s nothing like this night,” he said. “I played in college and we had some great games, but nothing is like high school football and nothing is like Thanksgiving football. It’s also great to have an in-town rival. We’re literally right across the street, we practice on the same field, and the kids know each other. It’s a great battle. Both teams respect one another and it was a great, physical, hard-hitting battle.”
