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Looking to deliver his head coach, Gary Molea, his 100th career victory last night, Lynn English's Charlie Rucker turned in the game of his life.

The junior receiver single-handedly outgained host Peabody High and hauled in touchdown passes of 67, 55 and 77 yards as the Bulldogs raced past the Tanners, 29-12, at chilly Coley Lee Field.

LYNN | For the second time in eight days, the Gloucester football team traveled to Manning Field in Lynn last night. This time to take on Lynn English.

While last week's showdown between Gloucester and Lynn Classical was a game for the ages, the first place Fishermen's battle with English figured to be a little less tightly-contested based on the records coming in.

SALEM | If Salem High football coach Scott Connolly could control the weather, he might order rain every time the Witches take the field for the rest of the season.

Playing in deteriorating conditions at Bertram Field last night, Salem played one of its sharper two-way games and also got a school record 43-yard field goal from senior Dan Reddy in an invigorating 17-13 Northeastern Conference win over Lynn English. Salem boosted its record to 4-3 overall.

LYNN | Marblehead High football coach Doug Chernovetz doesn't believe in hexes or curses. He just wanted his team to play sound football against favored Lynn English, which has beaten the Magicians every year since 1992.

LYNN | Scoring on the first possession of the second half wasn't necessarily the goal for the Swampscott football team last night.

Even though the Big Blue, known for their proficient spread offense, was trailing by a score, Swampscott was simply hoping to gain a territorial edge and wear down Lynn English at Manning Field.

DANVERS | The bottom line was Lynn English's speed | particularly the quick feet of Byron Brown, who ran for 159 yards in 22 carries and scored a pair of touchdowns, the last one a 3-yard run with 37.5 seconds remaining | was the difference as Lynn English held off a spirit Danvers comeback to win, 21-14, last night at Dr. Deering Field.

BEVERLY | A stifling hot weightlifting room that didn't have a fan in sight.

A calendar that teased them at the time of a season that was still months away.

And of course, a whole lotta Greg Pierce.