LYNNFIELD ran into Pioneer Stadium for the first time in 2024 on Friday night and treated their fans to a 28-12 victory over Amesbury — Lynnfield’s third straight win. (Kiera Mallett Photo)
After press time:
Lynnfield defeats Triton 38-3 (Oct. 11)
By JAMES CRANNEY
LYNNFIELD – It took until October for the Pioneers to finally play a game at home. When Lynnfield got that opportunity last Friday night, their patience was well worth the wait as they improved to 2-1 with a 28-12 victory over Amesbury.
“These players have been working their tails off since January, so to finally play at home in front of an awesome crowd, it felt like getting the paycheck,” exclaimed Pioneers head coach Pat Lamusta. “It was better than getting a paycheck, it felt like a bonus.”
While the Lynnfield players, coaches and fans inside a packed Pioneer Stadium were ready to go, so too were the visiting 2-1 Red Hawks from Amesbury.
Operating out of their standard Power-T formation, the Red Hawks are notorious for sustaining long offensive drives, wearing out the clock as well as their opponent. Every coach wants to begin a game with a fast start, but against Amesbury, it is imperative.
After returning the opening kick past midfield, the Pioneers appeared to be starting the game right on schedule. Following a big, 3rd and 10 conversion, Lynnfield looked to take that much-needed early lead. That all changed when a fumble coughed the ball over to the visitors.
Seven minutes and 55 seconds later, Amesbury capped a 14-play opening drive off with a 1-yard touchdown run from senior DJ DiCarlo.
“We had a tough turnover,” stated Lamusta on the early fumble leading to Amesbury’s first touchdown. “In an ideal world, you get that first stop then score first, but we came out a little slow.”
Fortunately for the Pioneers, the early mishap would be their last.
Trailing 6-0 with 1:49 left in the 1st quarter, Lynnfield began their second drive from their own 45-yard line. With great blocking up front, junior running back Nick Kelter (6 carries, 58 yards) got the Pioneers into the red zone in just two plays with big runs of 14 and 31 yards.
Following the fumble on the previous drive, senior captain Jared Bernabei (7 carries, 28 yards, 1 rushing touchdown) got his redemption darting up the middle for a 10-yard rushing touchdown. Senior kicker Massimo LoGrasso (4/4 PAT’s) booted the extra point as Lynnfield now led, 7-6.
“Whenever we play Amesbury, we always say you have to force these guys to punt a few times,” said coach Lamusta. “You have to be able to force punts and we were able to come up with some big plays in those spots.”
When the Pioneer defense took the field again, they did exactly as their coach asked.
On 3rd and 5 from the Red Hawk 25-yard line, Amesbury quarterback Justin Dube tried to take the corner on a quarterback run. Coming on the heels of his rushing touchdown, Bernabei was not finished as the captain tossed the quarterback to the turf for a 3-yard loss.
Lynnfield’s offense came back on the field and once again moved the ball into Amesbury territory.
Facing 3rd and 8 at the Amesbury 37, senior captain quarterback Tyler Adamo (8-11, 146 passing yards, 3 passing touchdowns) faked the inside handoff before rolling right. Once out of the pocket, Adamo found fellow senior captain Jesse Dorman (3 catches, 60 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns) in the end zone for a 37-yard score.
The Pioneers now led late in the 2nd quarter, 14-6.
With under 3 minutes remaining before halftime, Amesbury’s offense was in the middle of another methodical drive. Converting two 4th down plays and gaining nearly 4 yards per carry, the Red Hawks looked primed to tie the game up. That was until Amesbury fumbled at the Pioneers’ 36-yard line and junior defensive lineman Ben Gazit was there to jump on it.
Lynnfield had 62-yards to the end zone with 2:14 on the clock. If they wanted to score, they would need to do so quickly.
Adamo got the series started with a 33-yard jump ball to senior receiver Madux Iovinelli (2 catches, 58 receiving yards). On the next play, Adamo got the Pioneers inside Amesbury’s 20-yard line with a 10-yard pass to junior Luke DiSilvio (2 catches, 22 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown). With 1:04 before halftime, Adamo rolled left then rifled another ball towards DiSilvio. In the corner of the endzone, the senior receiver secured the catch while also keeping a foot in bounds for the touchdown.
Leading 21-6 going into the second half, Lynnfield had complete control over the game. On defense, the Pioneers smothered every Red Hawk ball carrier and continued to force punts. Lynnfield eventually gave up one more touchdown on defense, but another touchdown pass to Dorman gave the Pioneers all the separation they needed.
After the 28-12 victory, Lynnfield now sits atop the Cape Ann League standings with North Reading and Newburyport. The Pioneers will be home again this Friday night at 6:30 p.m. for another Cape Anne League matchup welcoming 3-1 Triton. After defending two run-heavy offenses, coach Lamusta and his defense will now have to prepare for an offense more favorable to the pass.
“We still have to continue to get better and be a team that can force turnovers regardless of whatever offense we’re going against,” says Lamusta. “Triton will be more of a passing team, even though they have a great running back. We just have to prepare and have a great week of practice.”
