It is arguably the biggest high school football confrontation in Lynn’s modern sports history when the Lynn English Bulldogs face Everett’s Crimson Tide – the No. 1-ranked football team in Massachusetts – with a 22-game win streak – at Manning Field Tuesday night.
It is the first time in 21 years that an English football team is in a play-off game.
Kick-off time is 7:30 p.m.
Manning Field officials are said to be expecting a standing room only crowd for the event.
English head coach Peter Holey said his team is “fired up” for the showdown with Greater Boston League champion Everett, whom the Bulldogs scrimmaged twice in the preseason.
“This is a great opportunity for our program, our kids, our school, and the entire community,” said Holey. “To play on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving is special, but to play the No. 1 team in the state is a great opportunity for the Lynn English Bulldogs.”
As many as 8,000 people could assemble to watch this game, according to officials.
For Lynn English football players and their coaches, this is the opportunity of a lifetime.
However, playing the Crimson Tide is problematic.
They are 8-time Super Bowl champions since Coach John DiBiaso took over coaching duties in 1993.
In other words, Everett has won 8 out of 12 appearances in the Super Bowl since 1997.
The Crimson Tide knows something about winning and about pressure play in important contests.
“Obviously we’re going to have play our best,” said Holey. “We’re going to have to control the football – and certainly not turning the ball over is a big part of that.”
Its polished quarterback Jonathan DiBiaso has broken the state record for touchdown passes. He quarterbacks a team that is undefeated and at the very height of its football prowess as a team.
Like English High School football players, Everett football players play to large crowds from week to week and they both play in modern stadiums.
Both teams play on artificial turf.
English quarterback Jermaine Kelly will likely suit up for the game after sustaining a knee injury in the Bulldogs’ 35-0 win over Lynn Classical.
“Jermaine still has some swelling from the injury,” Holey said Monday. “Malcolm Brown Simpson has been taking all the snaps at quarterback.”
Holey has seen Everett play twice this season. He is very impressed by Jonathan DiBiaso, the Everett quarterback, who is the son of head coach John DiBiaso.
“I think he is outstanding – by far the best quarterback we’ve faced all year,” said Holey. “Their running back, Vondell Langston, is also a concern. We’re going to have our hands full. But there’s no fear factor here. They scrimmaged Everett twice and they’re familiar with them.”