The CAL Baker All-Stars included, from left to right, CAL Baker Player of the Year Tyler Adamo, CAL Baker Defensive Player of the Year Jared Bernabei, CAL Baker Offensive Player of the Year Madux Iovinelli, and CAL Baker Special Teams Player of the Year Jesse Dorman.
By JAMES CRANNEY
DANVERS —“This is a group with 4.0 academic weapons,” said Lynnfield head coach Pat Lamusta addressing his team one last time. “And in the same breath, has players who broke school records and made waves across the division and the state with their performances.”
After posting a 9-2 record and winning yet another CAL Baker title, the 2024 Pioneer football team gathered at the Danversport Yacht Club last Wednesday night to put a bow on a remarkable season. The 2024 campaign was truly a season unlike any other for Lynnfield.
Like Lamusta stated, school records were shattered and victories were won both on the field and in the classroom. After opening the season with a 21-6 road loss to the eventual state champions, North Attleboro, the Pioneers went on a tear.
Lynnfield rattled off eight consecutive wins in dominant fashion. This team was certainly not a one trick pony either. During this stretch, they lit the scoreboard up averaging 40 points per game, and smothered opponents defensively allowing just 10 points per game. Special teams also played a critical role behind the strong leg of Massimo LoGrasso who drilled deep kickoffs and field goals (his longest being a 44-yarder at Newburyport).
While the season did not end with a state championship like every school dreams of, Lynnfield did finish the year accomplishing the goal of every team in the state. On Thanksgiving morning, the Pioneers went into a torrential downpour at Arthur J. Kenney Field and took down their arch rivals North Reading 43-36.
Additionally, this senior class was so talented, eight varsity players will go on to continue playing athletics at the collegiate level. Tyler Adamo will be playing baseball at Colombia University, Madux Iovinelli will play baseball at High Point University, Jesse Dorman will continue playing football at the University of New Hampshire, Jared Bernabei will be playing football at Marist College and Iain McCarthy will continue playing football at Salve Regina University. Massimo LoGrasso, Chris Duprey, and Spencer D’Augusta also plan on continuing their athletic careers in college but have not picked a school yet.
Following the banquet dinner, Lamusta addressed everyone in the venue and graciously thanked all of those who give their time to help the program. Whether it be the Lynnfield Pioneer Football Club, the parents, or even the chain gang crew, Lamusta made sure all were recognized for their assistance. After showing his appreciation, coach Lamusta turned it over to coach Lavoie and coach Dempsey who honored both the freshmen and JV squads.
After the freshman and JV certificates were handed out, Lamusta thanked the players again from each class then moved onto the team awards: senior Ethan Miranda won the Scout Team Player of the Year, senior Jack Kouyoumdjian took home The Brotherhood Award, seniors Duprey and D’Augusta were awarded the Courage Award, seniors Alex Fleming and Maximus Nastari won the Commitment Award, senior Andrew Lombardi grabbed the 12th man Award, senior George Lambros won the Unsung Hero Award, seniors Nick Lozada and Oliver Ventolieri earned the Coaches Award, senior captain Iain McCarthy secured both The Next Level Award along with the Leadership Council Award, seniors Brian DiGangi, Michael Murphy, and Massimo LoGrasso brought home Special Teams Player of the Year, senior captain Jesse Dorman as well as senior Madux Iovinelli captured Offensive Player of the Year, senior captain Jared Bernabei won both Defensive Player of the Year and the GUTSO Award, senior captain Walter Radulski earned Lineman of the Year, and senior captain Tyler Adamo was awarded Most Valuable Player.
For the nine wins the Pioneers achieved, nine game balls were presented to the player with the most impact on the game.
McCarthy got the game ball for the 34-13 win against Wakefield (9 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass deflection, and 3 hurries), Lambros earned the game ball for the 42-0 route over Ipswich (6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss), Fleming received the game ball for the 28-12 victory against Amesbury (9 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 2 pancakes), Iovinelli got the game ball for the 38-3 win over Triton (5 catches, 75 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown, 7 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 punt block), Dorman secured the game ball for the 44-21 road win at Newburyport (6 catches, 158 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns, 1 fumble recovery), Radulski got the game ball for the 28-6 victory against Manchester Essex (4 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 3 hurries), LoGrasso received the game ball for the 59-6 drumming of Hamilton Wenham (8/8 PAT’s, 1 34-yard field goal), Adamo earned the game ball for the 45-20 playoff win against Dennis-Yarmouth (16-19, 306 passing yards, 6 passing touchdowns, 163.9 QBR) and Bernabei took home the last game ball for his career performance in the win over North Reading (20 carries, 161 rushing yards, 4 rushing touchdowns, 9 tackles, 1 interception).
Next were the league awards. The CAL Baker All-Stars with honorable mentions included LoGrasso at kicker, McCarthy at linebacker, Lambros at defensive back and Radulski at offensive line. The CAL Baker All-Stars with superlatives included Dorman for CAL Baker Special Teams Player of the Year, Iovinelli for CAL Baker Offensive Player of the Year, Bernabei for CAL Baker Defensive Player of the Year and Adamo winning CAL Baker Player of the Year.
Lastly, the captains chosen to lead next year’s campaign were announced. For the 2025 season, Lynnfield will be led by senior captains Luke DiSilvio, Matt Tracy, Ben Gazit, and Dan Lemieux.
The 2024 team came a long way since week one. Although as coach Lamusta noted, the season does not really start at the first game. It is in those early morning offseason workouts where the journey truly begins. The success and failure of this training is dependent upon senior leadership to show the younger guys the right way to do things.
Lamusta made sure to give shout outs to seniors Duprey, Bernabei, Fleming, Dorman, Nick Lozada, and Lucas Smallenberger for all going above and beyond last offseason helping to mold the 2024 Pioneers. Seniors always play a pivotal role for a team, and this team was certainly no exception. Lamusta made sure everyone knew just how special this senior class was and how they have set the tone for future teams.
“All your contributions to this program were heroic and one-of-a-kind. We cannot thank you enough for the blood sweat and tears you gave to us, you gave to this program, and you gave to the community.”
