Post publication updates:
Lynnfield falls to Triton 37-14 (Oct. 10)
Lynnfield falls to Amesbury 52-8 (Oct. 3)
LUKE DISILVIO racked up 6 catches for 147 and 3 TDs in Lynnfield’s 34-14 win over Ipswich on Friday night. (Courtesy Photo)
By JAMES CRANNEY
LYNNFIELD – After a rocky 0-2 start, the Pioneers had the chance on home turf last Friday night to get their season back on track. This opportunity came against 1-1 Ipswich, kicking off the first game of Lynnfield’s league play.
In the first two games, the Pioneers fell behind early and could never dig themselves out of the hole. On this night, Lynnfield was the team who promptly pulled away from the start and never looked back, cruising to a 34-14 victory.
The Pioneers won the coin toss and elected to defer to the second half. From the very opening kickoff, Lynnfield set the tone.
Junior Xander Janicki came flying down the field on the kickoff coverage before lighting up the Ipswich returner at the Tigers 29-yard line. Full of energy, the Pioneer defense came on the field and quickly dismantled Ipswich’s notorious Power-T formation.
Lynnfield’s offense got their first opportunity with 8:44 left in the 1st quarter. To this point in the season, the offense had only scored once in 18 possessions. On their first drive of this game, they would only need two plays to find the end zone.
On 2nd and 5 from the Lynnfield 36-yard line, senior captain quarterback Matt Tracy (15-19, 232 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns) rifled a quick screen pass towards senior captain Luke DiSilvio (6 catches, 147 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns, 1 rushing touchdown). With two great blocks in front by receivers Joel Attubato (4 catches, 27 receiving yards) and senior captain Dan Lemieux (3 catches, 42 receiving yards), DiSilvio saw some daylight then darted down the sideline for a 64-yard touchdown.
Since Lemieux had been nursing a leg injury, senior Tobin Ventolieri filled in for the kicking duties and made it 7-0 after drilling the extra point.
“Tobin did a nice job stepping up,” said Pioneers head coach Pat Lamusta on Ventolieri’s special teams performance. “He plays outside linebacker, but does whatever we need him to do.”
Kicking was not the only position with a “next man up” mentality. Additional injuries forced Lynnfield to cycle through some young players on the offensive line.
“We have some young guys on that line like Alex Amico, Jack Tranfaglia, Joe Rosa, Anthony Fiore…these young guys are stepping up and have to learn fast,” commented Lamusta on the success of the inexperienced line. “We saw them get some movement today, and pass protection was a lot better.”
On the Pioneers’ second offensive possession, the pass protection gave Tracy plenty of time to find Lemieux on 3rd and 19 over the middle for a gain of 30 yards. DiSilvio received a hand-off on the next snap and once again made the Tigers’ defense pay.
Junior offensive lineman Joe Rosa set the edge for DiSilvio as he dashed toward the right sideline. With two great downfield blocks from receivers Attubato and Chase Buoniconti, DiSilvio was once again off to the races extending the lead to 14-0 on a 45-yard score.
Late in the 1st quarter, Ipswich’s offense finally moved the ball into Pioneer territory. It would not last long though, as Attubato read the quarterback’s eyes picking off the Tigers pass near midfield.
Lynnfield’s offense was red hot at this moment, and had no signs of cooling off.
On the second play of the series, Tracy once again looked DiSilvio’s way. The senior captain hauled in the pass near the left sideline, then cut hard to his right running 40-yards to the goal line untouched.
“He’s so explosive when he gets the ball,” stated coach Lamusta on DiSilvio’s 3-TD performance. “As long as he’s got a little room, he can take off. He’s a great athlete and we love him as a person and a leader too, but it was really fun to watch what he did tonight.”
The extra point snap was botched, but holder Spencer Brown kept the play alive and scrambled to his right before finding junior Lucas Deraps for the 2-point conversion.
Ipswich was able to finally get on the board late in the 2nd quarter and made it 22-6 at the half.
The Tigers defense generated an early stand in the second half coming up with two interceptions, but could not convert either of the turnovers into points.
With 5:55 left in the 3rd quarter, the Pioneers \ put the final nail in the coffin. In five plays, Lynnfield drove 41-yards in under three minutes and capped the drive off with a 7-yard Lemieux rushing touchdown. The benches were emptied from there, and Lynnfield got their first taste of victory winning 34-14.
“I thought we were sharper today,” claimed Lamusta on his team’s bounce back performance. “We had some younger guys that had to step up since we had some guys get hurt during the game. So, we had to cycle some guys in, but it felt like a team win.”
After securing what felt like a must-win game, the 1-2 Pioneers will now travel to 3-0 Amesbury this Friday night, Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m.
“We want to reassess where we’re at, especially with injuries,” says coach Lamusta going into Lynnfield’s second league game. “We’re going to have to come out strong against Amesbury, they’re very good. It’s an exciting place to play, but it’s an intense place to play. We’re going to have to be at our best all week.”