Pioneers survive scare

Of all people, Al Davis might have summed up football the best: Just win, baby. On Saturday afternoon, after a back and forth struggle between Amesbury and Lynnfield, the Pioneers needed one dramatic defensive play to steal a win at Lynnfield Middle School, 14-10.After putting together a 14-play drive, which melted 7:18 off the clock between the third and fourth quarters but did not bear any points for Lynnfield (6-1), the Pioneers got a huge caused fumble by Evan Panzero. Panzero stripped the ball, which while tumbling through the air, was caught by Tim Lamusta. Lamusta then returned the ball 23 yards for a touchdown. The score put Lynnfield ahead 14-10 and gave them the win.”Thanks god that (Panzero) ripped it out of that kids’ hands and it popped up to (Lamusta) to take it all the way. Otherwise, Amesbury beats us. They outplayed us today,” Lynnfield coach Neal Weidman said.”We knew we had to come in and play well,” said Amesbury coach Tom Connors. “They are the best team we have played yet. We thought we prepared well for Lynnfield and a fumble late in the game turns into a touchdown. It forced us to scramble at the end.”Amesbury (1-6) moved the ball in the middle of the field with little difficulty in the first half. It wasn’t until the Indians crossed into the red zone that the Pioneer defense would buckle down. On two drives, Amesbury moved downfield and to the goal line. However the Pioneers held Amesbury to a field goal after a goal line stand at the four-yard line, and another missed field goal attempt after the Indians pushed to the 20-yard line. After a false start play, Amesbury missed the 42-yard attempt.On the offensive side of the ball, Gino Cohee had total control from the quarterback position. Cohee completed four passes for 49 yards, and rushed for an additional 34. The Lynnfield offense was at it’s best just before halftime, when it moved the ball 75 yards down field in under two minutes. Cohee’s four yard touchdown rush capped the drive with :46 seconds remaining in the half. Heading into the locker room, the Pioneers led 7-3.In the second half, Lynnfield moved the ball up and down the field, however could complete the drives. Meanwhile, Amesbury came out on their first possession of the half, and with some help from two questionable personal foul calls, moved 74 yards down field for a touchdown. The score put Amesbury ahead 10-7.After the fumble and touchdown return for Lynnfield, the afternoon drama was still not complete. With 1:56 remaining in the game, Amesbury had the ball and was attempting to move downfield. As the seconds ticked off the clock, the Indians were attempting to complete passes. The Lynnfield defense once again took control of the situation, batting down long passes and finishing the game with a dramatic fourth down sack by Eric Inglese.”I was worried from the start about this game. We didn’t have good practices all week,” said Weidman. “To get the win feels good. I do not want to take anything away from Amesbury, because they outplayed us today. They came out here today and played a heck of a game.”