By JAMES CRANNEY
FAIRHAVEN – Lynnfield knew last Friday night’s quarterfinal matchup at Fairhaven (8-1) would be no easy task. After traveling nearly 80 miles south, the Pioneers (8-1) had the daunting task of slowing down an historic Blue Devil offense.
Averaging almost 40 points per game, Fairhaven’s triple option attack has been making mincemeat of defenses all year.
The leader of their ground game, senior Justin Marques, entered Friday night just three touchdowns shy of breaking the Massachusetts record for all-time touchdowns. Additionally, the only blemish on the Blue Devils record this year came at the hands of a BC High team currently preparing for the Division 1 state semifinals.
Lynnfield fell behind early in the contest, but never ceased to continue fighting. In the end, it was not enough as their state title hopes ended in a 36-34 overtime loss.
Fairhaven received the opening kickoff and did exactly what they have done all year. Taking nearly half of the 1st quarter, the Blue Devils marched 80-yards as Marques inched closer to the state record with a 2-yard touchdown run.
Despite it being the first time in five weeks since Lynnfield trailed in a game, they would not flinch.
Led by senior captain quarterback Tyler Adamo (18-29, 224 passing yards, 3 passing touchdowns, 1 rushing touchdown), the Pioneer offense reached Fairhaven’s 10-yard line in just three plays with passes to junior Luke DiSilvio (4 catches, 35 receiving yards), senior Madux Iovinelli (6 catches, 64 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns) and senior captain Jesse Dorman (3 catches, 69 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown).
On 1st and goal, Adamo took off to his right and outran every defender for a 10-yard score. Senior Massimo LoGrasso’s (4/4 PAT’s) drilled the extra point and the game was tied 7-7.
The Blue Devils made it a 14-7 game before halftime with Marques getting another 1-yard rushing touchdown to tie the record, but the margin could have been greater.
Late in the 1st quarter, Fairhaven found themselves deep in Pioneer territory and knocking on the door. That was until Iovinelli punched the ball out of Marques’ arms at the goal line and senior captain Iain McCarthy was there to jump on it.
“An incredible effort by both players [Iovinelli and McCarthy] to pursue the football even though they were not originally tasked with the fullback at the beginning of the play,” commented coach Pat Lamusta on the forced fumble. “These were the types of plays that kept us in it all night.”
Lynnfield got the ball to begin the 3rd quarter and trailed by a touchdown. The Pioneers, in desperate need of momentum, got it back in just two plays.
Junior Dan Lemieux (4 catches, 58 receiving yards) received the second half kickoff and returned it 44-yards into Blue Devil territory. On the first play of the series, Lynnfield’s offensive line opened a hole for senior captain Jared Bernabei (6 carries, 59 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown) to shoot right through. In the open field, Bernabei juked left then galloped 46-yards down the left sideline, tying the game 14-14.
“Those are the type of plays you need in a tight game,” stated coach Lamusta on the two-play swing. “It was great to see that energy coming out of halftime. A huge block by Matt Tracy to help spring Dan Lemieux. Jared’s [Bernabei] run was a combination of physicality early in the run followed by tremendous speed and vision to get the touchdown.”
The second half then turned into a shootout.
Fairhaven took the lead twice more (including Marques’ record breaking 102nd touchdown), but the Pioneers never heard a bell. Adamo made a clutch 10-yard touchdown pass to Iovinelli on 4th and goal, and another 15-yard TD throw to Dorman on 3rd and goal.
Tied 28-28 in the game’s final minutes, Lynnfield finally got the defensive stop they needed. On 4th and 8 at the Blue Devil 34-yard line, Bernabei thumped a scrambling Blue Devils quarterback just shy of the line to gain. However, the Pioneers were unable to turn the stop into points before the end of regulation.
Fairhaven scored the first touchdown in overtime and led 36-28 after a successful 2-point attempt. Lynnfield needed a touchdown and a 2-point try of their own if they wanted to keep the season alive.
On 3rd and goal, Adamo rolled right and hit Iovinelli in the end zone to make it 36-34. Unfortunately for the Pioneers, Adamo’s pass was deflected on the 2-point try ending the game and a championship dream.
“There were times where I was thinking, ‘This doesn’t look good,’ and then our team would make a great play,” said Lamusta after the tough loss. “They have a willingness to strike back regardless of what happened the play before. That’s been our team’s personality all year.”
Falling just short of your end goal is never an easy pill to swallow. However, for Lamusta and the Pioneers, one goal still remains.
Next week, Lynnfield (8-2) will travel on Thanksgiving morning to North Reading for the 65th installment of the historic rivalry with the 8-2 Hornets.
“Despite the disappointing loss, our team has an opportunity to take on a great CAL team and show the league the type of team we are,” said Lamusta. “It is the final chapter for a senior group who has been super competitive and a driving force for our team.”