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Future of inner-city battle uncertain

Is it Lawrence-Greater Lawrence Tech for the last time?

The last time on the holiday?

Or will this rivalry, usually one that sparks wild, unexpected results, live on?

Lawrence, which stunned the previously perfect and eventual EMass. Division 3A champion Reggies a year ago, owns an 8-4-1 overall advantage against Greater Lawrence, 7-2-1 on Thanksgiving.

“We want our season to end the right way,” said Lancers coach Mike Yameen, who saw four of his team’s six wins wiped away for use of an ineligible player.

Instead of posting their third winning season in the last 27 years, the Lancers are hoping for a 3-8 official record (7-4 unofficial).

“As a program, we want to make the statement that we’re going out and doing it the right way,” said Yameen, who noted the first marking period closed perfectly with his team losing nobody.

The Reggies will most likely be an ornery bunch come Thanksgiving eve.

Greater Lawrence coach Tony Sarkis, who thought his club had done enough to make the state vocational playoffs, isn’t optimistic.

“It doesn’t look good,” he said.

A win over Lawrence would mean a 5-0 finish after a 1-5 start.

“This is not the same team that it was seven weeks ago,” said Sarkis, whose lead back Wadscar Gomez needs 43 yards to reach 1,000 rushing, despite not playing until Week 4.

“The kids from last year, and there aren’t many, remember the result in this game. Hopefully, that is going to spark them.”

Additional stories:

• Greater Lawrence at Lawrence .... 7-4 Lawrence season is 3-8 due to four forfeits
• Lawrence jumps out early, cruses to win