#3 Gloucester - Lynn Classical Preview

#3 Gloucester    

     One thing is for sure: Gloucester football doesn't do "letdowns".  Whether it's a game that holds the weight of Friday nights' showdown, or a mid-season match-up against a one win team, you can count on the Fishermen bringing their A-game.  Proof?  In their six games against teams currently under .500, the Fishermen pitched two shutouts and allowed just 51 total points.  Against teams with winning records, their margin of victory stands at 129-66.

     As has been the case with Gloucester for years, their run game is what makes them tick.  Jordan Shairs has accumulated an astonishing 25 touchdowns and found the end-zone three or more times in each of the last four games.  And with Andrew Mizzoni and company consistently opening holes, you can expect Shairs to put up a few more before all is said and done.  

     Gloucester's biggest concern coming into this one has to be the Lynn Classical size up front.  While the Rams boast some talented skill players, Gloucester wins over Lynn English, Swampscott and Andover proved that dangerous skill kids alone won't beat this team.  The Fishermen are by no means small size wise, but Classical matches up with them in that department better than any team they've seen this year besides Andover.

Gloucester tid-bits:

- A win this week will push Gloucester's win streak to 23.

- Their smallest margin of victory this year is 11, against Masconomet.

- Gloucester back Jordan Shairs has scored multiple touchdowns in all but one game this year.

- Their 12.2 points per game is good for third in Division 1A; the offense is averaging 36.6 points per game, second only to Weymouth (36.9).

Lynn Classical

     Like every other team in the Northeastern Large, Classical is sick of playing second fiddle to Gloucester.  The Rams have put themselves in a position to dethrone the Fishermen in their house, and they'd like nothing more than to do just that.  

     It starts up front for Classical.  Junior defensive lineman Calvin Ebieshuwa has shown signs of dominance, including two sacks last weekend.  The job for him and his other d-line brethren will be to occupy blockers and fill running lanes, which would limit the potential for Gloucester's Shairs and Gilbert Brown to break off big gains.

     On offense, it's simple: hold onto the ball.  Lynn English showed the ability to hang with the Fishermen in their match-up a few weeks back, but an early third quarter fumble set up a Gloucester score that essentially put the game out of reach.  If Keith Nance, Eric Sisson, and Nick Grassa can protect the ball and make plays, the Rams are more than capable of taking this one.  

Lynn Classical tid-bits

- When was the last time a Gloucester/Lynn Classical game had this much at stake? Last year, when Gloucester was able to hold off a late Classical push to hold on for a 21-14 win.

- Since losing to Catholic Memorial on a late fourth quarter touchdown pass, the Rams have rattled off eight straight wins, beating opponents by a combined score of 269-115.

- Classical has scored 30 or more points in five games this year; their season average is 31.4.

- Keith Nance ranks fifth in total touchdowns for Division 1A with 15.

- Classical has had a score of 40 or more yards in every game this year, 13 total.