Published in the August 29, 2018 edition

By JAMES CRANNEY

BOXFORD — Preseason scrimmages provide solid building blocks and are a great indication to a team’s potential.

Put the results aside. It is only an exhibition matchup after all, with no bearing on either team’s final record. It’s an opportunity for both teams to evaluate their current progress and examine what needs to be done moving forward. Entering a self-assessment game, what better way to measure yourself than playing a more highly ranked opponent?

Last Saturday, the Lynnfield Pioneers did just this, going head-to-head with the Chieftains of Masconomet, an opponent ranked three divisions higher. Despite divisional differences, the Pioneers looked like a team that belonged, narrowly falling to Masco 18-12. The annual scrimmage between both schools has always served as a good benchmark for Lynnfield’s progress and this year’s game was no different.

BRETT COHEE gets past one final Masco defender on his way to a 44-yard touchdown run. (Kerrianne Allain Photo)

Opposed to a traditional four quarter football game, the scrimmage provided each team four ten-play drives from the opponent’s 45 yard line, as well as one goal line series with four downs to punch it in from the five yard line.

On Masco’s first offensive possession, it looked like the Pioneers were going to be in for a long day as the Chieftain offense ripped three long runs up the gut followed by a fifteen yard pass play. Lynnfield’s defense was on their heels early but stood tall closing the series with a forced fumble and three straight incompletions.

Early on in the game, Lynnfield’s offense struggled to get much going. The Pioneers failed to score on both opening series and could not get the ball past the line of scrimmage on nine of 20 plays. Things did not get better during Lynnfield’s goal line series as they could not cross the end zone on any of their four plays. As for Masco, the Chieftains had little trouble during their goal line series scoring three touchdowns on the four attempted plays.

Things were not looking bright on Lynnfield’s side of the ball at this moment, something needed to change.

The next time the Pioneer defense took the field, they got the momentum shift they were looking for when senior Sal Marotta picked off a Masco pass at his own 15 yard line. From that point forward, the defense did nothing but dominate. Masco’s offense never found the end zone again and failed to cross its own line of scrimmage on seven different plays. In addition, the Pioneer defense forced a fumble and had one more interception by sophomore Jack Ford. Had it not been for a premature whistle, Ford would have surely taken his pick to the house.

A PACK OF PIONEERS brings down a Masco runner during Lynnfield’s first scrimmage of the season. (Kerrianne Allain Photo)

“I think the defense, especially the pursuit, was pretty effective,” said head coach Pat Lamusta. “It was great having our players attack the ball, even if it wasn’t in their area,” he added. “I thought that was a major positive defensively.”

The coach could also hang his hat on the offense as their play also turned upwards following the Marotta pick. On the second play of the third series, Lynnfield quarterback Brett Cohee tucked the ball and was off to the races scampering for a 44-yard touchdown. The Pioneers continued to find success on the ground rushing for 121 yards including a 24-yard touchdown from sophomore DJ Capachietti. Despite the offensive improvements from the running game, Lamusta was not overly excited.

“I would say the rushing game needs some work. I think we need to work on staying on our blocks and be able to hit north and south,” said Lamusta. 

Overall, the Masco scrimmage will be remembered as a great stepping stone on this Pioneer journey. It was a positive way for the young team to challenge themselves and find ways to improve. Despite the final score, Lynnfield was able to take an early punch and get back up swinging. The early and brief achievements indicate this team may have a bright future ahead of them.

However, coach Lamusta certainly does not want his team getting ahead of themselves telling his players,

“Just get back to work, don’t get too high, don’t get too low, don’t get down on yourself,” said Lamusta. “We’re back to work on Monday.”