Post-publication update:
Lynnfield defeats Ipswich 34-14 (Sept. 26)
Lynnfield falls to Wakefield 28-0 (Sept. 19)
Published September 17, 2025
Shawsheen Tech smothers Pioneers 41-6 in season-opener
By JAMES CRANNEY
BILLERICA – Entering the 2025 football season, the Lynnfield Pioneers were tasked with a tall order.
In addition to replacing 19 seniors from a talented 2024 class, Lynnfield would kick off their 2025 campaign on the road against a formidable matchup. Fresh off the heels of a 13-0 state championship season, Shawsheen Tech welcomed the Pioneers last Friday night for the season opener. The Rams got ahead early, and never looked back, cruising to a 41-7 victory.
Lynnfield received the ball to begin the game with new senior captain quarterback Matt Tracy (10-18, 172 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown) under center. On the first play, Tracy dumped the ball off to junior running back Lucas Deraps who was unable to get beyond the line of scrimmage.
Two plays later, linebacker James Tildsley came flying off the edge and blindsided Tracy. The quarterback fumbled the ball upon impact and linebacker Nathan Malandain was there to jump on the loose ball.
As it took only three plays for the Shawsheen defense to make a play, it would only take three plays for their offense to make some noise.
Following two consecutive runs by senior running back Jake Banda, the Rams reached Lynnfield’s 3-yard line. On 1st and goal, Banda got the ball again, running it up the gut for an early 7-0 Shawsheen lead.
The Pioneer offense continued to go backwards and punted the ball back after just three plays. The field was beginning to tilt in favor of the Rams. If Lynnfield wanted to get back in the game, they needed a spark, which is exactly what they got on the following play.
Punting from his own 3-yard line, senior captain Dan Lemieux launched a towering punt that landed near the 40-yard line. The ball bounced off a Shawsheen special teamer and became a live football. Junior Joel Attubato then pounced on it and wrestled the ball away from pursuing Rams players.
“Great hustle play by Joel Attubatto,” said Lynnfield head coach Pat Lamusta on the special teams fumble recovery. “He held onto the ball for about 10 seconds while Shawsheen players were pulling at it.”
With momentum on their side, the Pioneers had their chance to get back in the game.
On the first snap, Tracy looked towards Lemieux (5 catches, 122 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown) and hit him in stride over the middle for a 37-yard gain. Lynnfield’s offense was able to advance the ball to the Shawsheen 30-yard line, but that was as far as they would go.
Following two negative plays and a pair of false start penalties, the Pioneers were forced to relinquish the ball and all momentum. The Rams scored five unanswered touchdowns from there and put the game out of reach.
While you can always take something negative from a positive, you can still find the good in the bad.
In the second half, Lynnfield’s offense began to find some rhythm. In addition to completing a 35-yard pass to junior James Pasquale, Tracy certainly found his go-to receiver in Dan Lemieux. In addition to catching a 3-yard touchdown reception, the Lemieux also hauled in a 54-yard reception in the second half.
“The second half was better,” commented coach Lamusta. “There were positive plays in that half that showed we are capable of playing better.
“It was a competitive team to go up against. Seeing that type of speed from Shawsheen early shows where we need to get to in terms of speed and physicality.”
The 0-1 Pioneers have a week to prepare before returning home next Friday night. At 6 p.m., Lynnfield will host a 1-0 Wakefield team coming off a 28-13 win against Greater Lawrence Tech on Sept. 5.
“It’s an opportunity to build our identity as a team and compete against another tough opponent,” stated Lamusta going into the season’s second game. “Wakefield will be very good, but with an opportunity this week to clean things up, we are looking forward to the challenge.”