Scuffle mars Lynnfield loss to Newburyport

LYNNFIELD – Fans at Saturday’s Lynnfield-Newburyport football game at Lynnfield Middle School received a double dose of disappointment. The home team lost, 14-0, ending its shot at a Cape Ann League title, and the game was marred by a fourth-quarter scuffle between two players. The players, one from each team, received a one-game suspension. The game also featured some angry words from Newburyport coach Ed Gaudiano, who appeared in more contrite form to the Lynnfield players afterward.”First of all, accept my apologies,” Gaudiano said. “I’m sorry. I guess I was just bull at the whole situation. We go into Thanksgiving Day with a shot at a (Cape Ann League Small) title. I apologized to (Lynnfield) coach (Bill) Adams. He’s a friend of mine. I want you to beat North Reading. You played your (behinds) off.”Gaudiano also told a reporter, “I shot my mouth off. I shouldn’t. They don’t have to hear it.”Asked whether he appreciated Gaudiano’s postgame apology to the players, Adams said, “Yes.”Adams also said that he made no comment on the disciplinary situation.”It was a very emotional game,” he said.All of the scoring came in the second quarter, courtesy of Kyle LeBlanc’s two touchdown runs, of 29 and two yards, for the first-place Clippers. LeBlanc added three interceptions on defense. Lynnfield needed to win both Saturday’s game and its regular-season finale, as well as have Newburyport defeat Amesbury on Thanksgiving, to preserve its CAL title hopes.The scuffle came with 4:35 left in the game with Newburyport having a first down inside the Pioneers’ 10-yard line.”You saw the fight on the field,” Gaudiano said. “Both kids are out Thanksgiving Day.”The Lynnfield crowd got a bit of optimism after the exchange. The defense forced a fourth down, and Jeff Milinazzo came up with an interception in the end zone. Facing third-and-10 on the ensuing possession, Lynnfield benefited from a pass-interference call against the Clippers. After quarterback Chris Grassi saw a pass batted down, he found Milinazzo for a spectacular 44-yard catch-and-run that put the ball on the Newburyport 25 with two minutes left.Unfortunately for Lynnfield, Grassi threw an interception on his next attempt. The Pioneers would get one last possession following a Clipper turnover on downs, but once again Newburyport came up with a pickoff, sealing the win with 17 seconds left.”They’re a real fine team,” Adams said. “They probably have about as much skill as any team we’ve seen this year.”