UPDATE: Lynnfield shuts out Ipswich 42-0, secures first victory with convincing triumph over Wakefield

Adamo breaks school record for career touchdown passes

THE CAPTAINS led Lynnfield to their first win of the 2024 season on Friday night in Wakefield. Pictured from left to right is Jesse Dorman, Walter Radulski, Tyler Adamo, Iain McCarthy and Jared Bernabei. (Courtesy Photo)

 

 

After press time:
Lynnfield defeats Ipswich 42-0 (Sept. 27)

 

 

Published September 25, 2024

By JAMES CRANNEY

WAKEFIELD – After a tough outing at North Attleboro in Week 1, the 0-1 Lynnfield Pioneers went on the road again on Friday night. This time, Lynnfield traveled to Landrigan Field to take on the 0-1 Warriors of Wakefield.

The Pioneer struggles the previous week stemmed from a slow start which caused them to fall behind early. This time in Wakefield, the Pioneers came out of the gates swinging.

Senior Madux Iovinelli (3 catches, 55 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown, 1 interception) received the opening kickoff for Lynnfield and took it 60-yards down the field before finally being tripped up at the Warrior 22-yard line. Facing 3^rd and 9 just 11-yards from the end zone, senior captain quarterback Tyler Adamo (9-for-14, 173 passing yards, 4 passing touchdowns) stepped up and found fellow senior captain Jesse Dorman (4 catches, 90 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns) darting towards the left pylon.

Wrapped up at the 1-yard line, Dorman refused to give up on the play and extended the ball over the goal line as he fell to the ground. A Massimo LoGrasso (4/5 PAT’s) extra point provided the Pioneers a quick 7-0 lead on their way to a convincing 34-13 decision for their first win of the season.

In the closing minutes of the 1^st quarter, Wakefield found themselves deep in Lynnfield territory. After reaching the Pioneers’ 10-yard line, that was as far as the Warriors got.

On 4^th and 5, senior defensive back Spencer D’Augusta came barreling up the middle and tossed the Wakefield quarterback to the turf.

It would not be D’Augusta’s last meaningful play.    

Following the turnover on downs, Lynnfield’s offense began moving down the field with 12-yard passes to Dorman and junior Dan Lemieux (2 catches, 38 receiving yards, 1 interception). Once past midfield, Adamo hit Iovinelli with a pass in space around the 25-yard line. The senior receiver made one man miss then muscled his way into the end zone with two Wakefield defenders on his back for a 40-yard pass and catch TD.

Leading 14-0 in the 2^nd quarter, the Pioneer defense continued to stifle the Warrior offense. Lynnfield forced a three-and-out and generated the game’s first takeaway when Dan Lemieux picked off a Westin McNeilly pass.

The red-hot Pioneer offense continued lighting up the scoreboard and even entered the history books.

Late in the 2^nd quarter on the drive following a 3-yard touchdown pass to senior captain Jared Bernabei (9 rushes, 49 yards, 1 rushing touchdown, 1 receiving touchdown), Lynnfield took a shot.

Standing at his own 45-yard line, Adamo uncorked a deep bomb down the left sideline landing right into Dorman’s arms. Dorman took it all the way to the house for his second touchdown of the game giving the Pioneers a 28-0 lead.

The pass was also Adamo’s 40^th career passing touchdown breaking Clayton Marengi’s previous school record of 39.

“In my seven years as head coach, we have been blessed with incredible talent at the quarterback position,” says head coach Pat Lamusta. “Tyler [Adamo] is the ultimate play-extender. A play is never really dead with him. He had to step up as an offensive leader his sophomore year and now his throws are more accurate and his release is even faster. He is also a very insightful player and has the ability to anticipate opponent’s defenses and adjustments. He is a smart athlete and we love that he brings that classroom intensity to the program as well.”

Lynnfield had all the momentum in their favor, but Wakefield stole some of it back. In the final seconds of the 2^nd quarter, McNeilly completed an 8-yard touchdown pass to junior Myles Sanchez making it 28-6 at the half.

The Warriors got the ball to start the 3^rd quarter and began moving it closer to midfield. Wakefield had a chance to really put the pressure on the Pioneers, but D’Augusta once again gave the ball back to Lynnfield. After a 4^th down sack earlier in the game, D’Augusta intercepted a McNeilly pass swinging the momentum back the Pioneers’ way.

“Spencer [D’Augusta] is such a great competitor,” commented coach Lamusta on the senior defensive back. “On both those plays you saw him showcase his speed and ability to find space to track the football down.”

The Pioneer offense took the field and put the nail in the coffin marching 60-yards in five plays. Bernabei followed his linemen and capped the drive off with a 1-yard rushing touchdown to put the game out of reach for Wakefield.

A late Warrior touchdown wasn’t enough as Lynnfield earned their first victory of the season, 34-13.

The first Cape Ann League game will come next Friday night for the Pioneers when they travel to Ipswich at 6:30 p.m. for a matchup with the 0-2 Tigers. While Lynnfield looked good in their 21-point victory, coach Lamusta knows there are still mistakes to be fixed if they want to stay in the win column.

“We have to get better this week, we still had all sorts of issues in the game…the message is practice sharp because Ipswich is always a tough place to play if you are not ready.”