MADUX IOVINELLI makes an incredible, one-handed grab in the end zone for the game-winning touchdown in a 23-19 Lynnfield win over Ipsiwch on Friday night. (Kristine Marengi Photo)

By JAMES CRANNEY

IPSWICH – Coming off an emotional loss at Marblehead, the 1-1 Lynnfield Pioneers went on the road again last Friday night for the third straight week. This time, the road warriors would take on 0-2 Ipswich for the first contest of CAL play.

It was the 54th meeting between both programs, and like so many times before, it would come down to the final minute and one miraculous catch for the Pioneers to leave town with a 23-19 win.

After defending a pass-heavy Marblehead offense the week prior, Lynnfield’s defense had to now switch gears with the Tigers ground-and-pound offense. When Ipswich received the opening kickoff, they hit the ground running. On the first play from scrimmage senior running back Henry Wright took an end-around run for 31-yards moving the Tigers into Lynnfield territory. Three plays later, Wright was called upon again and ran it in for a 14-yard touchdown.

Lynnfield regained momentum when a Tigers fake punt near midfield was stopped in its tracks by senior captain Steven Dreher. The Pioneer offense took advantage of the field position and capped their drive off with a 10-yard rushing touchdown from senior captain Charlie Capachietti (2 carries, 16 yards, 1 touchdown). After Kevin Connolly (2/3 PAT’s, 1/1 field goals) notched on an extra point, Lynnfield would lead 7-6.

SAM GAZIT (8) holds the recovered football after a forced fumble that sealed the win for Lynnfield over Ipswich on Friday night. Also pictured is Kyle Schmitz (2), Ethan Downey (78), Jared Bernabei (20) and Kevin Julian (7). (Kristine Marengi Photo)

In the 2nd quarter, the Pioneers came up yet again with another stop. It was 4th and 3 from the Ipswich 41 yard line when the Tigers tried fooling the defense with a reverse. The handoff was fumbled in the backfield before senior captain Chase Goldberg was there to pounce on it. The turnover led to points as Connolly would drill a 31-yard field goal giving Lynnfield a 10-6 lead going into the locker room.

The Pioneers had momentum at the break, but Ipswich came out in the second half swinging. Putting together 13 and 12 play drives, the Tigers methodically marched down the field capping both drives off with touchdowns on 4th and goal. With 4:36 remaining in the 4th quarter, Ipswich led 19-10.

With little time remaining and trailing two-possessions, it looked as if Lynnfield was going to drop their second straight game.

A 32-yard Capachietti kick return and 15-yard Ipswich penalty put the Pioneers at the Tigers 39 yard line. In need of a quick score, sophomore quarterback Tyler Adamo (12-21, 132 yards, 2 touchdowns) took a shot finding junior receiver Kyle Schmitz (3 catches, 39 yards, 1 touchdown) in the back of the end zone for a 27-yard touchdown.

Now trailing 19-16, Lynnfield went for the onside kick and successfully recovered it after it bounced off an Ipswich special teamer. The Pioneer offense was unable to capitalize though and relinquished the ball after four plays.

With less than two minutes remaining, Lynnfield’s defense needed a stop.  Having given up a touchdown on every possession in the second half, the Pioneer defense was finally able to seal the edge, slowing down the Tigers rushing attack. On 4th and 3 near midfield, Ipswich pitched it to Henry Wright who was tripped up by senior Kevin Connolly.

With just over a minute left in regulation, Lynnfield had one last shot.

On 4th and 10 from the Ipswich 43 yard line, Adamo dropped back and kept the series alive finding sophomore receiver Madux Iovinelli (2 catches, 43 yards, 1 touchdown) down the seam for a 25 yard pickup.

CHARLIE CAPACHIETTI shook this defender off and continued down field during a late kick off return, which gave the Pioneers great field position. The senior captain also had a rushing touchdown in Lynnfield’s win. (Kristine Marengi Photo)

With only 50 seconds left in the game, Adamo looked Iovinelli’s way once more.

The quarterback lofted the ball high and away where only his receiver could get it. That is where Iovinelli channeled his inner Randy Moss and snatched the ball from the sky with one hand for the game winning touchdown.

“Madux made an incredible coach,” Pioneers head coach Pat Lamusta said. “My initial view on the play was of the pass protection which looked great versus a six man pressure, with a key block from [James] Sharkey, I said to myself ‘I hope we get the ball out so there is an opportunity to make a play’ and that’s what Tyler did.”

Ipswich would have one last-second chance but a strip sack from sophomore Jared Bernabei recovered by senior Sam Gazit capped the miraculous 23-19 Lynnfield victory.

“Our players found a way to get it done,” claimed coach Lamusta after the win. “We didn’t have much time left, but they found a way. They play with a ton of heart week-to-week, and that was evident in the series of plays culminating in the late comeback win.”

After one of the most memorable finishes in recent memory, the now 2-1 Pioneers will finally make their debut at home next Friday night when the Clippers of Newburyport come to town. Coach Lamusta and his team have plenty left on their plate for the 2022 season, but still have much to be proud of at this current moment.

“The whole group continues to impress us with their grit and resilience. We came off the bus slow, but over the course of the game tonight, our players rallied and made big plays when we needed them.”