Lynn English Breakdown

You'd be making a mistake if you let Lynn English's 4-3 record fool you.  This team boasts three of the top 25 athletes in the state, one of which, RB Melvin Tavares, has appeared in only four games.  And while they stand just a game over .500, two of their losses have come against #5 Xaverian and undefeated Swampscott.

• Tyllor McDonald is one of the most underrated players in the state.  McDonald is the epitome of a dual threat quarterback.  Only Billerica's Nick LeSpada is superior in his ability to make things happen both through the air and on the ground.  His decision making is solid.  He executes the zone read with incredible precision, and when he finds space he explodes into it.  His mechanics leave something to be desired, but he gets the job done.  Don't lose track of him when he is on defense either.  He has good ball skills and can turn a pick into six points in a hurry.
• Their defense goes as their offense goes.  Much of the defense related talk this week will be about Gloucester, and rightfully so.  But this Lynn English bunch can stick as well.  Their best football is played when their offense is clicking.  They're giving up a respectable 15 points per game, but the majority of those points (64) came in their three losses.  To give their defense the best chance at slowing down the Gloucester rushing attack, the offense needs to open holes for Tavares and allow McDonald time to find one of his many weapons.  If that happens, expect their level of play to raise to a championship caliber level.
• The passing game will be key.  I don't see anyone on the Gloucester team that can match up with Travonne Berry-Rogers one on one.  On the flip side, it's doubtful any Lynn English player can slow Gloucester defensive lineman Chris Unis.  The key to a win will be giving McDonald enough time to find open receivers.  Berry-Rogers and Tavares will get open and find space, but if McDonald is constantly being harassed, it won't matter.  The Bulldogs will take their shots down field, and if the McDonald-Rogers connection is firing on all cylinders, it'll put the Fisherman on their heels.  That may be a perfect storm for yet another Top 5 team getting knocked off. 

Lynn English Bulldogs by the Numbers

- Points Scored: 184 (26.3 ppg)

- Points Allowed: 106 (15.1 ppg)

- Margin of Victories: 147-42

- Margin of Defeats: 64-37

- Passing Touchdown Leader: Tyllor McDonald (10)

- Rushing Touchdown Leader: Tyllor McDonald (8)

- Receiving Touchdown Leader: Travonne Berry-Rogers (5)

- Total Touchdowns Leader: Tyllor McDonald (18)

- Longest Win Streak: 3

- Longest Losing Streak: 2