LYNN – After agonizing losses in consecutive weeks to Peabody (21-20) and Gloucester (49-0), Classical coach Tim Phelps challenged his team to seize responsibility and determine how it wanted the remainder of the 2008 season to go. The Rams made a statement to their coach versus visiting Salem.The Classical defense stonewalled four of the six Witch drives inside the Ram-20, and junior Jaquan Huston stepped up to help fill the void left by an injured and absent Cameron Smith as Classical defeated Salem 21-12.”This is a great team win,” Phelps said. “We’re finally getting there. This is what we were preaching all week. We’re aiming for 6-4, and this is one step closer.”The Rams (4-4) dodged an early deficit on the Witches’ first possession when a questionable call ended a 13-play, 6:15 drive on what was called a fumble into the end zone by stud running back Melikke Van Alstyne (13 carries, 76 yards, TD).Classical failed to obtain a first down until three-plus minutes into the second quarter, but the defense stood its ground a subsequent time when Jasper Grassa picked off Brad Skeffington’s (four for 15, 100 yards, two INT) pass around the Ram-10 and returned the ball for 24 yards.”The defense stepped it up and were finishing hits,” Phelps said. “We haven’t been great, especially last week against Gloucester, but they stepped it up inside and around the 20 and managed to hold them.”The Grassa interception was the starting point for Classical’s 11-play, 76-yard drive which culminated in its first touchdown on a two-yard Gary Sisson (12 carries, 43 yards, two TD) run.Salem threatened to score for the third time on its final possession before halftime until the drive sputtered on the Ram-4 when Skeffington could not find an open receiver in the end zone.”We’ve got to finish. That’s the bottom line,” said Witches (3-6) coach Scott Connolly. “We just need to learn how to finish drives.”A pair of three-and-outs by both offenses led to Huston’s (10 carries, 129 yards) breakout. From the Classical-18, Huston grabbed the handoff and zigzagged his way up the field for 53 yards deep into Witches’ territory.”Huston is the fullback, and he’s run hard all year,” Phelps said. “He doesn’t get the publicity or the touchdowns, but he’s always working hard, and it’s finally paid off.”On the next play, Kashawn Avery (six carries, 34 yards) finished the two-play, 82-yard drive as the junior danced down the sideline alluding tacklers into the end zone for a 13-0 Ram lead following a missed extra point.Salem continued to apply pressure and had its third possession inside the 20 go for naught as the Witches fumbled the handoff on fourth-and-five, and Classical took over on downs. Eight plays later, sparked by a 38-yard Huston run, the Salem defense over pursued to the left, and Sisson cutback and ran 10 yards, untouched for the score and a 21-0 Ram lead after a two-point conversion pass from Grassa to Casey Johnson.The Witches suffered a crucial loss on their next drive when Van Alstyne was injured inside the Ram-1 yard line. The back reinjured his shoulder, an injury he suffered two weeks previous on the same field against English, and did not return after scoring a one-yard touchdown two plays later.Salem added a second touchdown on a five-yard Eugene De La Cruz (nine carries, 30 yards) rush on its next possession but was never able to orchestrate a game-tying drive thanks to the Ram’s stellar defense.”Our guys never quit. No question about it,” Connolly said. “I’m very proud of them for that. We have to finish and fix our mistakes. We started 3-0 and lost six straight. It’s a new day tomorrow.”Phelps said after the game that Smith’s season is most likely over due to a knee injury suffered two weeks ago versus Peabody.”He’s the hardest working skill position player I’ve ever coached,” Phelps said. “He’s a great leader and plays hard. It’s tough.”Classical will continue its pursuit of 6-4 next week at Della Russo Stadium against Revere.