ufrbody]The Newton South football team may be stumbling into its Thanksgiving matchup with Lincoln-Sudbury, having lost five of its last six games. However, South isn't lacking any motivation entering its heated holiday showdown with L-S.
As always, a victory on Thanksgiving means a little more to the players and coaches seeking atonement for a losing season.
``We want to beat Lincoln-Sudbury. We're hungry for it, we're salivating and we want a chance to redeem ourselves,'' said Newton South coach Ted Dalicandro. ``We want to beat a good team on the last game of the season, that's our goal.''
If South (3-7) is to pull off the victory, a huge key will be getting senior running back Kwame Francis-John going early and often. Francis-John, regarded as one the league's most electric backs, is always a big-play threat running the ball and has been the Lions' most consistent offensive threat this season. Three of Francis-John's team-leading nine touchdown runs have been longer than 60 yards.
He has been a catalyst for South's offense this season. In South's three wins over Arlington, Medford and Boston Latin, Francis-John has gained more than 100 yards rushing and scored at least one touchdown.
``He's (Francis-John) our stud,'' said Dalicandro. ``He just does a great job of finding the holes, cutting back and making some great runs.''
South has had trouble in recent weeks trying establish the run against elite DCL Large defense's such as Westford Academy, Waltham and Acton-Boxboro. In South's last three losses, Lion backs have struggled for running room with linemen and linebackers routinely blasting into the backfield.
Against the three strong defenses, Francis-John has been held in check, averaging only 47.7 rushing yards per game. Dalicandro places the blame of the recently stalled running game on South's lack of physicality.
``When you face teams like Waltham, Acton-Boxboro and Lincoln-Sudbury, it's all about being physical,'' said Dalicandro. ``We may have some size, but we need to be a little more physical in the trenches.''
South will rely on senior linemen Lucas Walker (captain) and Jelani Blandin to win the key battle in the trenches. South's line will look to improve the pass protection as well.
In South's last four games, its quarterbacks (Willie Allen and Justin Klumpp) have compiled a 36-percent completion rate, and have combined for six interceptions in the face of swarming pass rushes. South has made three quarterback switches this season due to inconsistency and injuries. Klumpp showcased his strong arm and won the starting quarterback job after an impressive preseason. However, after a 23-13 loss at Wayland and a shaky first half against Concord-Carlisle, Dalicandro handed the reins over to senior Jason Green two-and-a-half games into the season.
Green started two games, leading South to a 21-0 win over Medford. But in his second start, Green suffered a separated right shoulder in a loss at Weston. Following that game, South's leading receiver, Allen, was pressed into starting quarterback duty. Allen was under center for four games, in that stretch the Lions went 1-3.
In South's last game at A-B, Klumpp regained his starting job in a 27-0 loss.
South's defense has allowed 20.2 points per game this season, and has recorded a pair of shutouts against Arlington and Medford. Junior captain Jerret Atkinson anchors the defense at outside linebacker. Other key contributors are defensive end Mike Richarde, and defensive backs Jeff Atkins and Arthur Mescon.
The magic number for this defensive unit is 20. When South has allowed more than 20 points this season, it is 0-7. When its held opponents under 20 points, the Lions are undefeated.
The Lion defense will face a Lincoln-Sudbury offense that is averaging only 12.4 points per game, which is the second-lowest average in the DCL Large. While L-S (4-6) has been shut out three times this season, the Warriors are coming off of two huge wins and look to carry that momentum into the season finale.
Last week, the Warriors offense erupted for a season-high 34 points and shut out Boston Latin for their most dominant win of the season. Much more impressive was a 7-0 victory the previous week on the road against DCL Large powerhouse A-B.
The two relatively evenly matched foes could provide what might be a Thanksgiving classic. Kick off is slated for 10 a.m. on Thanksgiving at George Winkler Field at Newton South High School.
