Lynnfield hosts Newburyport in season-opener Friday
Published September 11, 2019
By JAMES CRANNEY
LYNNFIELD — As the early eighteenth century poet Alexander Pope once wrote, “Hope springs eternal,” conveying the message that even in the bleakest of times, there is always reason to be hopeful.
Coming on the heels of a turbulent 3-8 season, the Lynnfield Pioneer football team has all the hope in the world, and with good reason.
Despite losing 15 seniors from the 2019 graduating class, this season’s squad brings back seven returning players on both sides of the football. With a year of varsity experience under many of the players’ belts, the sky could be the limit for the Pioneers this fall.
The athletes on the field are not the only ones gaining wisdom from last season. Head coach Pat Lamusta now enters his second year at the helm for Lynnfield and definitely feels more comfortable in his role.
LYNNFIELD FOOTBALL CAPTAINS, from left, Anthony Floramo, John Lee, Clayton Marengi and Mike Julian will lead the Pioneers into their season-opening clash against Newburyport this Friday.
(Kristine Marengi Photo)
“It’s much different this year,” claimed coach Lamusta following one of the preseason practices. “It’s really nice to have the same staff coming back. Knowing my coaches’ strengths, it is much easier to make the practice plans and execute the practices.”
Coach Lamusta’s confidence in his coaching staff should also lead to a much different style of play on the field, specifically on the offensive side of the ball.
“I’m most excited to see our offense really put some points on the board,” stated Lamusta. “Our defense played fairly well last year keeping us in some tight games, but I’m really eager to see the offense turn the corner.
“I gave coach Flaherty the keys to the offense so he’s taking us in the direction that gives the quarterback a lot of power to make plays and get the ball to our other athletes. Look to see Clayton (Marengi) do some special things this year.”
Senior quarterback and captain Clayton Marengi certainly hopes to fulfill his coach’s promise during the 2019 campaign. Last year Marengi threw for 1,047 yards and put up 10 touchdown passes. The Pioneers quarterback can also be a threat on the ground too as he ran for 246 yards last season.
Another player to look out for is Marengi’s favorite target, junior receiver Jack Ford. As only a sophomore, Ford led the team last season in receptions catching 36 balls for 504 yards and six touchdowns. With a year of chemistry together and now a new offense in play, Pioneer fans should expect to see Marengi connecting with Ford early and often.
Ford will not be the only target for Marengi this season as senior John Lee looks to turn out another solid season on the gridiron. In addition to hauling in 23 receptions the season prior for 342 yards and three touchdowns, Lee is also a threat on jet sweep plays accounting for one touchdown and two two-point conversions on the ground last season.
The Pioneers other threat on the ground will come from physical senior captain Anthony Floramo. Averaging 3.3 yards per carry last fall, Floramo had 69 touches racking up 230 yards and one touchdown. With last year’s senior captain Jaret Simpson out of the picture, expect Floramo to get the bulk of the touches this season at running back.
Of course Floramo, or any of the Lynnfield running backs, will have nowhere to go unless the big boys up front open some holes. The anchor of that offensive line will be senior center Mike Julian, who will look to cement opposing linemen and linebackers into the dirt. If the five linemen can do their job well, this new-look offense could really light up some scoreboards.
The Lynnfield defense also looks to be a factor in 2019. Many of the above mentioned players will be found on the defense looking to wreak havoc on opposing offenses. Last year’s defense kept the Pioneers in many close games and were responsible for 14 turnovers (nine fumbles, five interceptions). With this new high-powered offense, the Lynnfield defense should be a nice compliment to the offensive side of the ball.
We are now less than a week away. No more scrimmages, no more walkthroughs – this Friday night at 7 p.m. will be the real thing.
The Pioneers open the season up at home under the lights against a challenging Newburyport team. The Clippers bested Lynnfield in the opener last fall 15-13, so the Pioneers hope to avenge that loss while effectively turning the page to a new season full of hope.
So, what are the current expectations inside the Lynnfield locker room?
“We have some of the best athletes in this school,” commented coach Lamusta. “For this group, the expectations are very high.”
