Top two teams in CAL ready for epic 61st annual Thanksgiving showdown

Published November 27, 2019

By JAMES CRANNEY

NORTH READING — As the curbs continue to be blanketed with leaves and families begin to gather, it can only mean one thing: Thanksgiving is here.

For most, this holiday is a time for reuniting with loved ones, telling old tales, and most importantly, eating. 

However, in this neck of the woods, it’s all about football.  

This time-honored tradition has lasted in the state of Massachusetts for over 100 years.  Every Thanksgiving morning, before breaking into the turkey and stuffing, it is tradition to square up against your biggest rival and battle for a year of bragging rights.

For the past three years, the Hornets from North Reading have held the bragging rights over Lynnfield.  Last year’s matchup, the coldest game in Lynnfield history, was one of the worst Thanksgiving losses in recent Pioneer memory.  From start to finish, the Hornets dominated all facets of the game on their way to a 32-0 rout over Lynnfield.  

Redemption is certainly on the minds of all Pioneer players and coaches heading into this year’s showdown.  To end the three-year Thanksgiving drought, 8-2 Lynnfield will go on the road against a Hornet team with a 7-3 record. 

The Pioneers went 3-0 against Baker Division foes to win the division outright. The Hornets tied for first with Masco on a 3-1 record in the Kinney Division. Pentucket could join them for an even three-way split with a victory over Triton on Thanksgiving. 

Given the even strength of these two first-place programs, many are expecting next Thursday’s Turkey Bowl to be a classic.

Going into the 61st annual meeting against North Reading, there are three things to look for if the Pioneers want to walk off Arthur J. Kenney Field with a victory.

Slowing down the run

Hornet junior quarterback Brian Heffernan has had a solid season thus far and will certainly have the Lynnfield defense’s attention.  However, the bread and butter of this North Reading team is their rushing attack.  

“I want our defense to be tough against the run,” claimed Lynnfield head coach Pat Lamusta going into the game.  “North Reading does a nice job with their run game and short pass game. It is important to be in a position to get off the field on third down.”

In last year’s Thanksgiving game, the Hornets ran rampant against Lynnfield racking up well over 200 yards.  Most of those touches last year were to now senior running back/receiver Jack Keller. Keller’s dual-threat ability as both a runner and pass catcher will certainly be something the Pioneers will have to neutralize if they want to get off the field.  

Airing it out

The Pioneer offense has been nothing short of historic this year.  Thus far, the Lynnfield offense has outscored their opponents 283-175.  If the Pioneer defense can shut down the run and get North Reading off the field on 3rd downs, the high-powered Lynnfield offense will have plenty of chances to continue their dominance.

After turning to a spread offense, the Pioneer passing game has shined the most this year and even rewrote the record books.  Senior captain Clayton Marengi broke the Lynnfield record for most single season passing yards and touchdowns throwing for 2,076 yards and 28 touchdowns.  Marengi’s favorite target, junior receiver Jack Ford also found his way into the Pioneer record book. Ford broke the single season record for most yards with 870 and shattered the touchdown reception record accumulating 13 (the record prior was 5).

“We like to throw because that is our identity,” commented coach Lamusta.  “Ultimately, we want to get our athletes in space.”

Well, the Pioneers have plenty of athletes to choose from.  In addition to the record-breaking Ford, Marengi’s receiving core consists of senior captain John Lee (24 catches 320 yards, 3 touchdowns), junior Bakari Mitchell (29 catches, 387 yards, 4 touchdowns) and junior Blake Peters (14 catches, 235 yards, 2 touchdowns). 

Lynnfield has also found success through screen passes to their running backs, junior D.J. Capachietti (10 catches, 66 yards, 2 touchdowns) and senior captain Anthony Floramo, Jr. (8 catches, 193 yards, 2 touchdowns). To have success on Thanksgiving, look for the Pioneers to go to the air early and often.  

Finishing strong

At the end of 2019, the Pioneers will have plenty to hang their hats on, but as of right now there is still much to prove.  Losing in the playoffs was certainly not the end Lynnfield hoped for, but a Thanksgiving victory could erase all of that.

“Winning on Thanksgiving is huge for the team, huge for the seniors and a major plus for the community,” stated coach Lamusta.  “You can really build on the momentum and positivity from a Thanksgiving win.”  

To earn their first Thanksgiving victory since 2015, the Pioneers need to finish strong.  Lynnfield faced countless situations of adversity this season and almost always found a way to finish the right way.  

There was probably no better example than their week 6 game against Ipswich.  In the last minute of the contest, the Pioneer defense had just given up what appeared to be the game-ending touchdown.  With 51 seconds and only one timeout, Lynnfield never flinched, marching 68 yards down the field before Mitchell caught the game-winning 30-yard touchdown pass.

If Lynnfield can finish the season with that same ‘never quit’ mentality they had against Ipswich, the Pioneers should be the one’s eating their turkey with a smile.  

The difference between the 2018 Lynnfield team compared with this year’s is night and day.  With an established defense and prolific offense, the Pioneers have proven they can play with anyone. 

Despite the turnaround, Lynnfield will still have to prove themselves going toe-to-toe with an evenly matched North Reading team.  Losing this game the past three seasons, including the brutal shutout last year, coach Lamusta and his team will be highly motivated to finish the season the right way. 

“Learning from last year, you don’t want to have that feeling again,” said Lamusta.