JARED BERNABEI races to the end zone on a 45-yard TD run in Lynnfield’s 28-0 round one victory over Swampscott on Friday night at home. The junior also added two strip sacks for a strong Pioneer defense. (Courtesy Photo)
Update post publication:
Lynnfield falls to Hudson 27-13 (Nov. 10)
Published November 8, 2023
By JAMES CRANNEY
LYNNFIELD — After eight weeks of regular season football, now the season truly begins.
Last Friday night, the 7-1 Lynnfield Pioneers began their quest for a state title on home soil welcoming 5-3 Swampscott. This was only the second time these programs faced off with the first meeting being a 28-point Lynnfield victory in the 2014 playoffs.
Under the lights of Pioneer Stadium, history repeated itself as the Pioneers rolled to a 28-0 first round victory over the Big Blue. Lynnfield (No. 5) will now advance to the Div. 6 quarterfinals as they will travel to No. 4 Hudson (8-2) on Friday night at 7 p.m.
It was a battle for field position in the opening quarter as both defenses dug their heels in. Lynnfield’s defense forced the game’s first turnover when a bobbled handoff was pounced on by senior captain Anthony Morales. The Pioneer offense would later give it back though when junior cornerback Gabriel Tripp made an incredible toe-tapping interception making sure to get both feet down.
In the final seconds of the 1st quarter, Swampscott was forced to punt deep in their own territory following a 13-yard loss from a Jared Bernabei strip sack. This gave Lynnfield some great field position beginning their fourth possession of the game at Big Blue’s 48-yard line. This time, the offense clicked.
After getting the ball to the Swampscott 29-yard line, the Pioneers faced 3rd and 2. With pressure upfront, junior quarterback Tyler Adamo (9-16, 175 yards, 1 touchdown) was able to make two defensive linemen miss before escaping the pocket. Rolling left, Adamo was about to be sacked then miraculously flicked the ball to a wide open Niccolo Antidormi (9 carries, 88 yards, 1 receiving touchdown). The senior running back turned up field and sprinted 29-yards to the endzone untouched.
“It looked like Ty was bottled up in there and all the receivers were covered up,” commented Pioneers head coach Pat Lamusta on the play. “Then Ty went into ‘find space and find grass mode,’ extended the play and we got to see Antidormi do his magic with his quick feet and athleticism.”
After Massimo Lograsso (4/4 PAT’s) drilled the extra point, Lynnfield held a 7-0 2nd quarter lead.
Following another defensive stop, the Pioneer offense came back on the field looking for more points.
The drive started with a 61-yard pickup on a screen pass to senior captain Joey Cucciniello (3 catches, 107 yards). Facing 3rd and 15 from the Swampscott 31-yard line, Adamo kept the drive alive finding junior receiver Madux Iovinelli over the middle. Iovinelli picked up 29-yards before finally getting tripped up at the 2-yard line. Adamo then made it a 14-0 game on the next play after scrambling to the left pylon.
In the closing minutes of the first half, the Big Blue finally put together a drive. Running the ball on every play, Swampscott slowly marched down the field before facing a 4th and 1 from the Lynnfield 11-yard line. Operating out of a shotgun formation, Swampscott tried extending the series with a run up the middle, but the back was met by a host of blue jerseys.
On the first series of the second half, Swampscott’s offense once again moved the ball with efficiency. The Big Blue entered Pioneer territory following a 35-yard pass play to junior receiver Joseph Marino, who would have scored if not being brought down by junior Spencer D’Augusta. Three plays later, the Lynnfield defense struck again.
With heavy pressure up the middle, quarterback Jack Spear was forced to scramble right and throw an off balanced pass which was intercepted by Cucciniello.
“We had some close calls and chunk plays that had us reeling in certain spots,” stated coach Lamusta of his defense. “The defense does a great job playing with the ‘next play mentality’ and they never give up. Even mid play after the deep Swampscott pass, D’ Augusta was able to track him down and not give up a touchdown.”
For the remainder of the game, the Pioneers kept Big Blue’s offense at bay and forced two more turnovers with a Kyle Schmitz interception and Bernabei strip sack. The game was then put on ice following two big runs. The first one came from Antidormi who ran 55-yards up the right sideline with :34 seconds left in the 3rd quarter. The second big run came with 7:10 left in the 4th quarter when Bernabei galloped to the goal line behind his blockers for a 45-yard touchdown.
When the final horn sounded, Lynnfield had survived and advanced to the Division 6 Elite Eight winning 28-0.
“I am proud of the defense for sure, but moreover proud of the whole team because I thought we were able to manage the game in all three phases,” exclaimed coach Lamusta after the playoff victory.
The road will not get any easier for the Pioneers.
Coach Lamusta knows at this point of the year, every week becomes more demanding. When asked what the message to the team is to live another week, it was straightforward.
“Get better at what we do. The weather gets more unpredictable, our opponents improve and the stakes get higher.”