Published in the September 5, 2018 edition

By JAMES CRANNEY

MELROSE — To be the best, you have to play with the best. Last Friday, the Lynnfield Pioneers did just that, scrimmaging against the defending state champion Red Raiders of Melrose; a team which returns the majority of its starters from last year’s championship campaign.

The odds were not in the Pioneers’ favor heading into their matchup at Fred Green Memorial Field, but that would not halt the team’s tenacity. Despite giving up three unanswered touchdowns to the high-powered Red Raider offense, Lynnfield stopped the bleeding, putting together a nine-play 65-yard touchdown drive just before the half. Prior to the drive, the Pioneers had failed to gain a single first down but finally found a way to start moving the chains.

Big plays came from an 11-yard pass play and a 15-yard run to put the Pioneers in Melrose territory. The most important play of the series though came on a 4th and 2 at the Red Raiders’ 37. Lynnfield quarterback Brett Cohee connected with his receiver who turned it up field for a 17-yard gain, bringing the Pioneers to the edge of the red zone. Two plays later, Cohee handed it off to senior captain Jarett Simpson who ran it in for a 20-yard score.

JARET SIMPSON looks for running room against the reigning Super Bowl champion Red Raiders at Fred Green Field. (Kerrianne Allain Photo)

Melrose found the end zone one more time before the half taking a 28-7 lead over the Pioneers into the locker room. When asked what the message to the team was at halftime, Lynnfield coach Pat Lamusta stated, “It’s okay to be a little nervous, it’s not okay to be intimidated. You saw what you could do with that touchdown drive, don’t lose sight of that.”

Lamusta’s words of encouragement appeared to be the spark the Pioneers needed as it showed on Lynnfield’s first drive of the second half. After a huge 3rd and 7 conversion and a 31-yard passing play, the Pioneers found themselves knocking at the door. On 2nd and goal Cohee kept it himself and punched it in cutting the deficit to 28-14.

When Melrose got the ball back they picked up where they left off marching right down the field deep into Pioneer territory. However, this time the Lynnfield defense issued a bend but don’t break spirit. On 1st and goal, the Pioneer defense swallowed up the Melrose running back for a 5-yard loss. Following two straight incompletions, the Red Raiders decided to go for it on 4th and goal. The Pioneer defense made their stand, swarming the quarterback and sending him to the turf keeping it a two score game.

Later in the game after another long drive, Melrose’s offense found themselves on the end zone’s doorstep. With the ball on Lynnfield’s 10 yard line, the defense again bent but did not break forcing another Red Raider fourth down. On the 4th-and-3 play, the Pioneers stuffed the ball carrier at the line of scrimmage for yet another goal line stand.

Both squads emptied their benches for the remainder of the scrimmage giving many younger players solid reps. After going back-and-forth, Lynnfield capped the scrimmage off on the final play with a 50-plus yard rushing touchdown to make the final score Melrose 28-21. A hard-fought scrimmage for the Pioneers did not result in a win but showed a resilience.

“It was an uphill battle” said coach Lamusta after the scrimmage, “It was great for us to come out here and play them today and see what we can do against great competition.”

Lynnfield will need to continue playing with this fortitude as they kick off their season on Friday night at Newburyport. The Pioneers blanked the Clippers last year 32-0 so Newburyport will surely want to return the favor. Even in defeat, coach Lamusta realizes the scrimmage against Melrose will certainly assist Lynnfield on their path to achieve what Melrose accomplished the previous season.

“I think the point is we played against great competition,” said Lamusta. “I wouldn’t want any other scrimmage.”