Bulldogs defense too good

LYNN — A cold and blustery day at Manning Field did not deter Anthony Timmons from making the 105th Thanksgiving Day meeting of Lynn English and Lynn Classical his own holiday. The sophomore’s firstquarter fumble recovery in the end zone was indicative of the young Bulldogs defense’s strong play yesterday. It gave them a lead they never relinquished as Lynn English (8-3) shut out the Rams (7-4), 12-0. “Credit to our defense,” Lynn English head coach Chris Carroll said. “They made plays. (That’s) a lot of young kids playing their first Thanksgiving Day game.” Bulldogs quarterback Matt Severance led a clockeating offensive effort. Passing nearly was impossible, just like most of the games throughout the state, so the senior kept the ball on the ground. His 3-yard keeper added to the Lynn English lead with just more than six minutes left in the second quarter. Timmons added a fumble recovery with two minutes left before the half to stop another Rams charge. The second half became a ball-control game for the Bulldogs. Severance led his team to several third- and fourth-down conversions. Although they did not add to their lead, it kept the favored Rams offense off the field. “We didn’t score, but we drained the whole third quarter,” Carroll said. As time ticked down, Severance put the finishing touches on the win. His key interception late in the fourth quarter sealed the deal, improving his record to 3-0 as a Turkey Day starter. “I’m so happy for those seniors,” Carroll said. “Especially Matt Severance. “That interception iced it all up. That was the play of the game.”