Lynnfield shut out by Georgetown

LYNNFIELD – The Lynnfield High football team has shown it can put points on the board, and the defense has proven itself to be more than capable. The challenge has been getting both to show up at the same time.The Pioneers (1-2) lost to Georgetown, 14-0, Saturday at Lynnfield in a game that was decided by one big running play by the Royals in the second quarter. Georgetown had 171 yards rushing, with 72 of those yards coming on quarterback Joe Esposito’s 72-yard touchdown run that gave the Royals a 7-0 lead heading into the half (Esposito also kicked the extra point).The Royals gave themselves a two-touchdown cushion late in the third quarter, when Esposito rammed his way in from the two-yard line and then kicked the extra point. The closest the Pioneers would get to the end zone the rest of the way was the eight-yard line, but that drive, which featured a 25-yard reception by Mike Pescione from A.J. Roberto and a 35-yard grab by Pescione from quarterback Chris Grassi, fizzled on the 15 after Grassi was thrown for a seven-yard loss on third-and-goal.”We’re good on offense one week and we’re good on defense the next. We need to be more consistent,” Lynnfield coach Neal Weidman said.The Pioneers had a couple of opportunities early in the game, but couldn’t capitalize. On its first possession, Lynnfield got the ball at its own 29 and made it to the Georgetown 14, but a failed running play and two incompletions by Grassi ended the 12-play drive.Georgetown took over on downs on the 14 and Esposito promptly broke an 18-yard run to put the ball on the Lynnfield 32. Six plays later, Esposito broke through the crowd and rambled up the right side of the field for a 72-yard touchdown.Lynnfield didn’t make much noise the rest of the way, although Charlie Garlow did intercept Esposito around the 50 and run the ball back 14 yards. The Pioneers also managed to stop the Royals, who had gotten the ball to the 10.Georgetown scored its second touchdown on its first drive of the second half. The Royals got the ball on their own 35 and methodically marched downfield, the big play being an Esposito 17-yard pass to Tyran Harrigan that brought the Royals to the Lynnfield 25. Five plays later, Esposito took it in from the two.Lynnfield only had 62 yards rushing. Grassi was 8-19 for 82 yards passing and Roberto had one 25-yard pass. Pescione had four catches for 69 yards. Lynnfield had 107 yards total passing.Esposito was 6-16 for 86 yards passing, and he rushed for 150 of Georgetown’s 171 yards.”They (Georgetown) did a nice job defensively. We moved the ball well a lot of the game, but we didn’t take advantage of opportunities,” Weidman said.Lynnfield will try to rebound next week when it plays Saugus at home Saturday.”The main thing is, we need to play tough and we need to play more physical,” Weidman said.