Published November 20, 2019
By JAMES CRANNEY
WILMINGTON — Despite the disappointing finish in last week’s playoff game against Amesbury, Lynnfield still had plenty to prove in the final game before the annual Thanksgiving classic.
“Regardless of the playoff situation, we are still fortunate to get to play two more games,” commented Lynnfield head coach Pat Lamusta going into the non-playoff game against the 4-6 Wilmington Wildcats on Friday night.
Coach Lamusta’s team certainly looked strong in the early stages of the game. On the first possession, Wilmington’s ground game moved the ball downfield to the Pioneer 44 yard line, but that was as far as they would go. On 3rd and 8, heavy pressure up front forced a hurried Joseph McCauley pass which landed in the arms of senior linebacker Anthony Floramo for the interception.
Both offenses would stall for the majority of the first quarter until the recipient of the interception had his number called. On 2nd and 13 from the Lynnfield 31 yard line, senior captain Clayton Marengi (10-24, 270 yards, 4 touchdowns) dumped a screen pass off to fellow captain Floramo. The senior back shot up the middle of the field for a huge chunk of gains and looked as if he would be brought down near the Wildcat 40 yard line. That was until Floramo spun out of the tackle and kept on running to the end zone for a 69-yard touchdown.
With just over two minutes to play before halftime, the Pioneers looked to extend their 7-0 lead going into the locker room. Following a 20 yard reception from senior captain John Lee (3 catches, 66 yards, 1 touchdown), Lynnfield found themselves knocking at the door. On a 3rd and 10, 20 yards away from the goal line, Marengi looked to a familiar target. Junior receiver Jack Ford hauled in a jump ball near the sideline before turning it up field. Keeping himself in bounds, the record-breaking receiver lunged toward the pylon giving his team a 13-0 lead.
The 13-point Pioneer lead would not last going into the locker room. Following a muffed punt, Wilmington began their drive with a minute to go at the Lynnfield 20 yard line. Two plays later, McCauley connected with junior receiver Nehemia Camara for an 18 yard Wildcat touchdown. The extra point would bring the Pioneers lead down to just six.
Lynnfield got the ball to start the 3rd quarter and went right back to work. Marengi kept the drive alive with his feet on a 3rd and 11 scrambling for 21 yards. Two plays later, the Pioneers took a shot. From his own 41 yard line, Marengi launched a deep ball down the left sideline. Despite being draped by two Wildcat defenders, Jack Ford had no issue snatching the ball at the Wilmington 1 yard line. Marengi made it 19-7 on the next play finding DJ Capachietti for the 1 yard touchdown pass.
On the next drive, the Wildcats marched into Lynnfield territory with its continuous rushing attack. On the edge of the red zone, running back Bailey Smith was met by a swarm of Pioneer defenders. Engulfed in navy blue jerseys, Smith would not be able to hold on as the ball was stripped from his possession and recovered by the Pioneers.
It looked as if this might be the final nail in the coffin for Wilmington, but the Wildcats wouldn’t surrender.
The following two Lynnfield drives were halted after consecutive 3rd down sacks. The Wildcat offense finally broke through, turning to the legs of their quarterback. On nine of the 13 plays, the quarterback called his own number before finally punching it in from 1 yard out.
With less than six minutes to go in the game and now only leading by five, Lynnfield needed one more good drive to solidify the victory.
It didn’t take long.
The Pioneers recovered the surprise onside kick and began at their own 49 yard line. Following runs of two and six yards, Lynnfield faced a 3rd and 2 from the Wildcat 44 yard line. Marengi extended the drive hitting John Lee on a button hook route. Lee made one man miss then turned the short gain into a 44 yard game clinching touchdown. Wilmington stole one more touchdown before the end but it would not be enough as the Pioneers held on for a 25-22 win.
“It was important for us to win coming off a tough playoff game,” claimed Lynnfield head coach Pat Lamusta after the game. “It was important to get our confidence back, get in the win column, and feel good heading into Thanksgiving.”
After a long season filled with ups and downs, only one game remains.
Two Thursday’s from now, Lynnfield will go on the road for the all-important Thanksgiving showdown against an 8-2 North Reading team. Last year’s 32-0 loss at the hands of the Hornets will certainly be fresh on the Pioneers’ minds, but this is not last year’s Lynnfield team. In the state of Massachusetts, it is all about one thing, ending the season on a high note and taking down your rival on Thanksgiving morning. To achieve this, coach Lamusta’s message to the team is simple:
“Great teams finish strong.”