THE PIONEERS will storm into Pioneer Stadium one more time on Thanksgiving morning at 10 a.m. for the 64th annual edition of the big game. (Courtesy Photo)
Update post publication:
Lynnfield defeats North Reading 34-0 in 64th Thanksgiving Football rivalry (Nov. 23)
By JAMES CRANNEY
LYNNFIELD – This Thursday returns one of the oldest traditions in the history of Massachusetts high school sports: Thanksgiving football.
Over the past few years, this heavily anticipated tradition has taken on a slightly different feeling.
Since the MIAA committee changed the football playoff format in 2014, the state championship games are not played until after the Thanksgiving holiday. Given this, most high school teams playing for a state title now rest their starting players during the Thanksgiving game.
For the past two seasons, the Hornets already had their tickets punched to Gillette Stadium by Thanksgiving. In 2021, North Reading elected to play their starters winning a 28-25 nail-biter in Pioneer Stadium before losing in the state championship 14-7 to Swampscott.
Last Thanksgiving, North Reading found themselves in the same situation and decided to bench their starters. Given the circumstances, Lynnfield was finally able to end their six-game losing streak to the Hornets, drubbing them 32-6 at Arthur J. Kenney Field.
This year though, things will be different.
After losing several key players to graduation, North Reading took a step back this season. Finishing with a 5-4 record, the Hornets never had the opportunity to defend their Super Bowl title as they were unable to qualify for the 2023 playoffs. Do not be fooled though by their record.
While regressing in the standings, this North Reading team fights to the bitter end and can still light up a scoreboard.
Led by sophomore quarterback Jason Berry, the Hornets offense scored only 20 fewer total points than Lynnfield this year with 298, and averaged just over 33 points in each of those games. North Reading was also competitive in every game they played. Only two of the Hornets’ defeats were by more than one possession and two of their losses were decided in overtime.
North Reading’s high-powered offense is not lost on Pioneer head coach Pat Lamusta, who stated one of the major keys to stopping North Reading’s offense would be “keeping them in front of us,” adding, “We need to play disciplined in the back end versus their pass game.”
When it comes to defending the pass, Lynnfield performed at a high level this year. Ball-hawking junior defensive back Spencer D’Augusta led the defense snagging 6 out of the team’s 13 interceptions. Coach Lamusta always preaches a takeaway mentality to his defense, which forced 19 total turnovers this season. If the Pioneers make that 20 or more total turnovers and hold onto the ball on offense, the turkey on their plates should taste a little sweeter.
“It is important for us to get first downs on offense,” said Lamusta on what he needs from his offense to win the big game. “We want to keep the chains moving.”
Long sustained drives for Lynnfield should keep the Hornets offense off the field and secure a second straight Thanksgiving victory. This has certainly not been a problem for this Pioneer offense led by junior quarterback Tyler Adamo (117-162, 1,878 yards passing, 19 passing touchdowns).
So far in his second year under center, Adamo has tied Matt Mortellite’s 2017 single season record for passing yards and only three other quarterbacks in Lynnfield history have thrown more touchdown passes in a season.
In addition to great blocking up front, Adamo has also had great receivers to throw to including senior captain Joey Cucciniello (28 catches, 594 yards, 7 touchdowns), senior Ethan Francis (28 catches, 320 yards, 4 touchdowns), sophomore Zahir Mitchell (25 catches, 469 yards, 5 touchdowns), and junior Madux Iovinelli (15 catches, 244 yards).
A healthy rushing attack could also subdue the Hornets with steady runs from senior Niccolo Antidormi (70 carries, 394 yards, 5 touchdowns) and junior Jared Bernabei (30 carries, 317 yards, 4 touchdowns).
One of the most overlooked facets of the game, which always plays a significant role, is special teams. In addition to making great plays on offense and defense, Bernabei has executed several punts this season pinning the opponents inside their own 5-yard line. Winning the battle of field position will undoubtedly have a great impact on the Thanksgiving outcome.
In high school football, the kicking game tends to be a crapshoot. Not this year for Lynnfield. Junior kicker Massimo Lograsso has been beyond reliable for the Pioneers kicking 39 out of 42 extra points and is a perfect 3-for-3 booting field goals.
Coach Lamusta knows winning the three phases of the game will be critical if Lynnfield wants to beat North Reading once again on Thanksgiving morning. Given this will be the first time in two years that there are no state championship implications, the coach also knows this showdown will once again be played with the intensity level it deserves.
“I anticipate an intense game where both teams will have upperclassmen that are all in and plan on leaving it all out there on the field.”