THE LHS football team defeated Saugus 28-0 last week and will return to Pioneer Stadium for a matchup against Wayland this Friday night at 5:30 p.m. for the final tuneup before their Thanksgiving Day game against North Reading. (Courtesy Photo)
By JAMES CRANNEY
SAUGUS – As the old adage goes, “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.”
The 2025 football year certainly did not begin the way Lynnfield had hoped for. A 1-6, injury-riddled start put Pioneer playoff hopes to bed pretty early in the season.
Despite the shaky start, Lynnfield was able to regain some ground. In their final game of the regular season, the Pioneers went on the road and ended their four-game losing streak by crushing Hamilton-Wenham 35-14.
With momentum on their side, 2-6 Lynnfield went on the road again last Thursday night for a consolation matchup with 1-7 Saugus. On this night, the Pioneers would take full advantage of their newfound energy, stomping the Sachems, 28-0.
Lynnfield found themselves knocking on the door early.
On their first possession of the game, the offensive line opened a massive hole for junior running back Chase Buoniconti (16 carries, 171 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns). Buoniconti shot through the opening and looked like he would score but was tripped up 54-yards later at the Saugus 10-yard line.
The Pioneers were unable to convert the chunk run into points and came up short on 4th-and-goal.
Lynnfield’s offense did not have to wait long for another chance. On the ensuing possession, sophomore Pioneer Marko Tare pounced on a loose ball following a mishandled Saugus snap.
Lynnfield took over at the Sachems’ 31-yard line, and would not be denied this time.
Facing 3rd and 3 on the cusp of the red zone, junior quarterback Spencer Brown (12-17, 81 passing yards, 1 passing touchdown) kept the drive alive connecting with senior captain Dan Lemieux (6 catches, 61 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown) over the middle for a gain of 21-yards.
The Pioneers were 12-yards away from the goal line and faced another 3rd down. Avoiding pressure, Brown rolled to his right and found a diving Lemieux in the end zone. The senior captain completed the catch and gave Lynnfield an early 6-0 lead.
They would not look back.
The next Pioneer possession came early in the 2nd quarter. Lynnfield advanced the ball into Sachem territory following a 3rd down pass to senior captain Luke DiSilvio (3 catches, 30 receiving yards). On the next snap, the Pioneer offensive line opened another sizeable hole for Buoniconti. The junior back fired through the opening and this time, no one would catch him. Following the 44-yard Buoniconti touchdown run, Lynnfield came up short on the two-point conversion. The Pioneers lead 12-0 in the 2nd quarter and were beginning to put a stranglehold on Saugus.
As sharp as Lynnfield’s offense looked, their defense was nearly flawless.
When the Pioneers lost four-consecutive games this year, their defense allowed an average of 40 points per game along with over 350 yards of offense. Against Saugus, Lynnfield’s defense refused to allow a single point and barely gave up over 100 yards.
Additionally, the Pioneer defense turned the Sachems into a turnover machine. After Tare’s 1st-quarter fumble recovery, Lynnfield forced two more fumbles (both recovered by Buoniconti) and added an interception by junior defensive back Joel Attubato. The Pioneer pressure up front was also relentless generating sacks from senior captain Matt Tracy and sophomore Jack Tranfaglia.
When asked about the stellar defensive performance, Lynnfield head coach Pat Lamusta made sure to give everyone their flowers.
“Players like senior captains Matt Tracy and Ben Gazit have shown great motor, fighting for every inch on the defensive line. Defensive backs senior captain Luke DiSilvio along with Aaron and Joel Attubatto have been stepping up in coverage. Senior Tobin Ventolieri and juniors Devon Neenan and Chase Buoniconti have really done a great job pressuring the offenses the past couple weeks with their ability to blitz. Sophomore Jack Tranfaglia and junior Joe Rosa continue to also be dynamic threats on defense doing a great job on pursuit against opposing running backs.”
The Pioneers entered the 3rd quarter with a 12-0 lead and were looking to expand upon it. Six plays into their first series of the second half, Lynnfield once again turned to Buoniconti who took another handoff up the gut before racing 31-yards for another Lynnfield touchdown.
“Chase [Buoniconti] is a player you can move around to any position and he is going to make something happen,” stated coach Lamusta. “He is super fast and a tough tackle for opposing teams. I’m really pleased with his demeanor and poise regardless of the situation in the game.”
Just before the 4th quarter, the Pioneers tacked on their final points of the night. DiSilvio got his fifth touchdown of the season with a 9-yard rushing score, and the cherry on top came with 38 seconds left in the 3rd. A high snap forced the Sachems quarterback to fall on the ball in the end zone for a safety. Both teams emptied their benches in the 4th quarter and Lynnfield earned their third victory of the season, 28-0.
The now 3-6 Pioneers will return to Lynnfield next Friday night for one more consolation game against 2-7 Wayland.
“Wayland plays a tough schedule, so we will be tested even though they also have a younger team,” says Lamusta going into the season’s penultimate game. “The message is to rise to the occasion and continue to build on these past couple of weeks.”