Published in the July 6, 2016 edition
THE Lynnfield contingent in the 55th Annual Agganis Classic, from left, assistant coach Gino Fodera, Drew Balestrieri, Drew McCarthy, Dan Bronshvayg and CJ Finn were joined by head coach Neal Weidman following the North squad’s 27-19 loss to the South team June 30. (Tom Condardo Photo)
By TOM CONDARDO
LYNN — Stellar efforts from a strong Lynnfield contingent weren’t enough to overcome a hail of penalties and turnovers, as a furious second half rally by the North squad fell short in a 27-19 defeat in the 55th annual Agganis Football Classic at Lynn’s Manning Field June 30.
C.J. Finn, Drew Balestrieri, Dan Bronshvayg and Drew McCarthy all suited up as high schoolers for the final time and the Pioneers’ assistant coach Gino Fodera assisted North/Peabody head coach Mark Bettencourt in the contest.
CJ FINN (45) and Drew Balestrieri (44) head out for the coin toss before the 55th annual Agganis Football Classic June 30. The pair was elected by their teammates as two of the five North captains. The North fell 27-19 to the South at Lynn’s Manning Field. (Tom Condardo Photo)
Ballestrieri and Finn were both elected captains by their North teammates as a result of the leadership and hustle they displayed in the practices leading up to the game.
“Being named captain on this team is a huge honor,” said Balestrieri. “It was great to see us come together as a team.”
Giving up a ton of size in the line, the North was stymied in the first half, falling behind the South 21-6. They managed only 45 yards of offense and turned the ball over three times in the first two quarters. Their only score came on a scintillating 86 yard kickoff return by Peabody super tailback Doug Santos.
With the offense sputtering, Bettencourt turned the play calling over to Fodera, the Pioneers’ line coach who also works with head coach Neal Weidman on the entirety of the Lynnfield offense. The results were dramatic.
The North rolled for 203 yards in the second half and scored two unanswered touchdowns to cut the lead to 21-19, but couldn’t get any closer as the South scored late in the fourth to make it 27-19.
The North threatened in the closing seconds, moving to the South 11-yard line. However, three incomplete passes and an interception on the final play sealed their fate.
LYNNFIELD’S Dan Bronshvayg (4) makes a diving tackle on a punt returner in the first quarter of the 55th Agganis Football Classic June 30. Bronshvayg’s North squad fell 27-19 to the South team. (Tom Condardo Photo)
“I was just helping out Mark,” Fodera said of his battlefield promotion to offensive coordinator. “We switched our offense up in the second half. We went from a pistol formation to more of a spread look. Just something to change it up to try to get us back in the game a little bit. The kids played great.”
The Pioneers played prominent roles in the game, putting a distinct Lynnfield imprint on the game. Finn played every down at middle linebacker on defense, collecting seven tackles, breaking up a pass and wrestling for a fumble recovery on a kickoff. He will be playing with Santos and former Pioneer D.J. DeGeorge at Assumption this fall.
“It stinks to lose, but it was fun to be out here playing,” said Finn. “It was good to go out playing with my teammates one last time.”
Balestrieri practiced all week as the starting fullback and played most of the offensive plays. But with the South marching through the North defense, he was inserted at linebacker alongside Finn in the second half and picked up 2½ tackles, including one on the goal line that temporarily prevented a touchdown. He served as a blocking back for Santos most of the night, but did catch one pass. He’ll be playing linebacker for Salve Regina this upcoming season.
CJ FINN (45) played every snap on defense, collected seven tackles and broke up a pass during the North team’s 27-19 loss to the South team in the 55th annual Agganis Football Classic at Lynn’s Manning Field June 30. He also played some tight end in the game. (Tom Condardo Photo)
Bronshvayg, the most successful kicker in Lynnfield high history, performed his usual placekicking duties, handling kickoffs and PATs (point after touchdown). He was one for two on points after, both of which came from 25 yards thanks to North penalties. He also hauled in a key 33-yard pass on a third and 29 that kept the North’s second TD drive alive. He chipped in with a tackle on a punt and for good measure handled the long snapping duties on punts. He is heading to Tufts in the fall.
McCarthy had the misfortune of backing up the electrifying Santos, so his touches were limited. He was in deep formation on kick return, but the South wisely tried to keep the ball away from Santos and pooch kicked most of the kickoffs. He will be attending the University of New Hampshire in September.
It was the first time in four years that a team featuring the Pioneers suffered defeat in the game, played to honor Lynn, Red Sox and Boston University legend Harry Agganis and to raise money for the Agganis Foundation scholarship fund. The All-Star game features the top graduating seniors on the North Shore.
