Published October 16, 2019
By JAMES CRANNEY
LYNNFIELD – Following the first loss of the season, the 3-1 Lynnfield Pioneers hoped to return to their winning ways when the 2-2 Amesbury Indians came to town on Saturday.
For the second week in a row, the Pioneers found themselves down early after Amesbury put together a 69-yard touchdown drive. The successful two point conversion attempt made the early deficit 8-0, but Lynnfield would respond.
After reaching the Indians’ 40 yard line, senior captain quarterback Clayton Marengi (7-9, 154 yards 4 touchdowns) saw a 1-on-1 matchup with his favorite target. Marengi wasted no time hitting junior receiver Jack Ford (4 catches, 113 yards, 3 touchdowns) in stride down the sideline for a 40 yard touchdown pass. A screen pass to senior captain John Lee (2 catches, 14 yards) on the two point conversion would tie the game at 8-8.
The Pioneer defense held their ground the second time around forcing a quick Amesbury three-and-out. A low bouncing snap would force the Indians punter to run for his life before sophomore special teamer Nicolas Marcinowski finally tripped him up.
Due to the special teams mishap, Lynnfield started their second drive on the cusp of Amesbury’s red zone and would only need one play. The Indians bit hard on the fake screen pass leaving a wide open Blake Peters in the end zone for the 28-yard score and 15-8 lead.
Another Amesbury three-and-out would put the Pioneer offense right back to work. To advance the ball downfield, Lynnfield turned to their ball carriers getting big runs from senior captain Anthony Floramo (7 carries, 42 yards), Clayton Marengi (4 carries, 41 yards), and sophomore Spencer Riley (13 carries 120 yards, 1 touchdown). On first and goal, junior receiver Blake Peters helped seal the edge for Riley who bounced it out to the right side for a 9-yard touchdown and 14 point lead.
“It was a battle in the trenches,” commented Lynnfield head coach Pat Lamusta after the game. Recognizing his running backs would have nowhere to go without the big men upfront Lamusta added, “The offensive line had to play low and physical every play. Liam Farrell, Justin Ndansi, Mike Julian, Owen Blacker, Trent Balian, and Mike O’Brien all set the tone for the game by their play up front.”
The Pioneers left the locker room with a 22-8 lead and looked to build upon it. On their opening drive of the second half, Lynnfield was near midfield when they faced a daunting 3rd-and-13. That would be no issue for the Pioneers when Marengi once again launched a ball deep down field to a galloping Jack Ford for a 57-yard touchdown pass.
Down 28-8, Amesbury would not go away quietly. With their tenacious “Power T” offense, the Indians grounded and pounded their way across the goal line with a 13-play 59-yard touchdown drive.
With the lead now cut to 12, Lynnfield looked to build some separation. On the first play of the drive, Spencer Riley ripped up the right side of the field for a 39-yard pickup. Two plays later, Riley would bring the Pioneers to the edge of the end zone with a 15-yard run. From the Indians’ 6-yard line, Marengi dropped back and looked for who else?
Jack Ford made a cut inside before quickly bouncing back to the outside leaving the defender in his dust for his third touchdown reception of the game. On the play, Ford tied the Lynnfield record for most touchdown receptions in a single game while his quarterback Clayton Marengi tied the record for most touchdown passes in a single game with four.
Amesbury would muster up one more touchdown, but did so on a six minute drive draining half of the fourth quarter’s time. A Liam Farrell recovery on an onside kick attempt would solidify the Pioneer victory 34-24.
With four wins on the season, Lynnfield looks to keep it rolling on the road next week against the Ipswich Tigers. Originally scheduled for 6:30, Pioneer fans should note this game will now kickoff at 3:30 p.m. Friday. Despite the 2-3 record, Ipswich will give Lynnfield everything they have in this Cape Ann League matchup. Coach Lamusta knows his team will have to keep grinding as the postseason begins to loom over the horizon.
“Moving forward, we still have much to work on. We must get better in all three phases of the game with a tough, hard-running opponent in Ipswich coming up. Enjoy the win, but be ready to get back to work.”