With the exception of one game, Gloucester has breezed past its foes this season. This week’s game might play out a little differently.
Tonight, the Fishermen (7-0, 2-0) host a high-flying Lynn English (6-1, 1-0) squad in a Northeastern Conference (Large) tilt that has major playoff implications.
Both teams are considered top contenders in the NEC Large and both have explosive offenses. However, that is where the similarities end. Gloucester is a grind-it-out, smashmouth football team while the Bulldogs bombard defenses with their spread attack.
Tyllor MacDonald is the trigger man of the Bulldog offense. The quarterback has 18 touchdown passes and seven touchdown rushes this season. Gloucester coach Paul Ingram knows that the key to beating Lynn English is making MacDonald uncomfortable.
“We can’t give Lynn English time to throw the ball,’’ said Ingram. “We have to corral [MacDonald] and make sure we stop him before he gets going.’’
MacDonald has the added advantage of throwing to myriad receivers. Travonne Berry-Rogers (nine touchdown receptions), Melvin Tavares, and Ryan Woumn are athletic receivers that can outjump the defense.
“We have to break their rhythm and not let them off the line of scrimmage,’’ Ingram said about the Bulldog receivers. “We have to upset their timing and disguise our coverage packages.’’
Gloucester is already well versed in defending the spread, having shut out Swampscott and Beverly this season. Another way the Fishermen plan to slow the Lynn English offense is with their offense.
“On offense, we don’t look for big plays, we try to get first downs,’’ said Ingram. “Our goal is to eat up clock, wear down the defense, and frustrate the offense.’’
The Gloucester offense is led by Conor Ressel and quarterback Brett Cahill. Ressel is the leading scorer in Division 1A with 16 touchdowns, while Cahill controls an efficient passing attack.
There are a host of other important games tonight. King Philip (6-1) travels to Mansfield (6-1) in a clash of Hockomock League powers. King Philip enters the game 4-0 in league play while the Hornets are 4-1. The Hornets need a victory to keep their playoff aspirations alive, while a King Philip win could help legitimize its standing as a top team despite facing less-than-stellar opposition thus far.
In Bay State League action, the class of the Carey Division, Needham (7-0), hosts fellow unbeaten Natick (7-0), of the Herget. Needham is coming off a big win over Weymouth while Natick has yet to be tested this year. The Red and Blue possess the most explosive attack in Eastern Mass., scoring more than 40 points per game.
Down on the South Shore, Marshfield (5-2) hosts Falmouth (7-0) in an Atlantic Coast League battle. A win for Marshfield will pretty much wrap up another league title. The Rams have only one game left against an ACL team, and that team, Sandwich, already has two league losses.
There are two intriguing games that pit Central Mass. teams against Eastern Mass. teams. Tonight, Leominster (2-4) heads to Brockton (6-1). The only time Leominster traveled into Eastern Mass. territory this season, it was upended by Everett, 14-6. Brockton defeated another Central Mass. team already this year, downing Fitchburg, 27-12.
Maybe the two best teams in the state face each other tomorrow afternoon in Westwood, when 6-0 St. John’s (Shrewsbury) travels to Xaverian. This game should be a real good one as both teams score around 30 points per game, while giving up around 10 per game.
