CAMBRIDGE — At a rainy Harvard Stadium, Boston English/New Mission defeated Latin, 28-12, to capture its third victory over Latin in four years. English now leads 40-84-13 in the nation’s longest continuous high school football rivalry.

“I’m happy for the alumni. I’m more happy for these kids that put in the hard work, dedication, and continuing to fight and strive,” said English coach Ryan Conway.

Senior running back Dasani Alvarado led the English offense with 14 carries, 115 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, and added an interception on defense. Junior running back Kamren DePeiza (8 carries, 37 yards, two touchdowns) and senior QB Ajhani Graham (14 carries, 55 yards, one touchdown, two two-point conversion rushes) rounded out the English rushing attack.

“Everything came together,” said Alvarado. “I’m grateful to be playing with all these guys. I give all the credit to my line. I love them to death, couldn’t have gotten over a hundred yards without them.”

English started the game with an immediate error, fumbling on its first rush of the contest, and allowing Latin to start over in their territory. The English defense held strong, however, holding Latin to a turnover on downs.

English’s Ajhani Graham is hauled down by Latin’s Noah Dang and Eric Perryman at Harvard Stadium. English was a 28-12 winner. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)

On the ensuing drive, English’s offense found their rhythm thanks to a 37-yard rush from Alvarado. The rush from the senior running back put the English offense at Latin’s 21. From there, a series of five rushes culminated in a DePeiza 1-yard rush that gave English the first score of the contest.

In the second quarter, the English defense nabbed a turnover of its own as Zeyon Rainey picked off Latin’s August Groh. An English block in the back penalty prevented the interception from becoming a pick-six, but allowed English to take over at the Latin 31. After another series of rushes, Alvarado found the end zone with a 15-yard rush through the middle. Another two-point rush from Graham gave English a 16-0 lead.

Despite the two-score deficit, Latin went into the half on a high, thanks to an expert drive from Groh. The senior quarterback went 3-5 on the drive for 31 yards and scored the touchdown on an 11-yard rush with just six seconds remaining. A failed two-point pass cut the English lead to 16-6 at halftime.

Following back-to-back turnovers from both offenses, Latin found the end zone once again thanks to a 21-yard run from Groh. The senior scrambled down the sideline and scooted his way past the pylon for the score. A failed two-point pass reduced the deficit to 16-12.

English seized the momentum on the ensuing kickoff, however, as Graham exploded for a 61-yard return to put the English offense at Latin’s 25. Three plays later, DePeiza scored again on a four-yard rush to increase the English lead to 22-12.

On the ensuing drive, English’s defense nabbed its third turnover of the day as Joshua Calixte recovered a fumbled Latin handoff. With just over 1:45 left in the third and nursing a 10-point lead, the English offense embarked on a 20 play, 79-yard touchdown drive. Led in large part by Alvarado, Graham, and senior running back Muayied Asim, the drive left Latin with just 1:24 left and a 28-12 deficit to overcome.

A six-play drive ending in a turnover on downs for the English defense clinched the game and the victory for English/New Mission in the historic Thanksgiving rivalry.

The contest also marked the end of a 45-year career for official Earl Garrett.

“I’ve had a wonderful career. Couldn’t end it any other way,” said Garrett. “From Pop Warner to college, (I’ve) refed, coached, so I think I’ve reached my pinnacle in this game and it’s time for me to walk away very nicely.”

Latin’s Lawrence Decossa runs between English’s Daniel Castillo and Alyias Edriss at Harvard Stadium. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)