Thanksgiving 2010: Lynnfield would like to sting the Hornets

The sting of a last-second 16-15 loss to Hamilton-Wenham in what amounted to the Cape Ann League Small championship game is wearing off. By the time Lynnfield hosts North Reading on Thanksgiving morning (10:30 a.m.), its sole focus will be on the Hornets.Though the Pioneers (3-2; 8-2) will not repeat as CAL Small champs or return to the post-season, Coach Neal Weidman expects they will be ready to rock and roll against their holiday rivals.”The loss to HW was disappointing but the kids are starting to come around. It’s the seniors’ last game and we’re expecting them to come out looking for a strong finish,” Weidman said. “We have a senior team and they’ve played well all season. Obviously, as a coach, you want them to go out with a win.”Should the Pioneers close with a victory, they would complete a 19-4 run over the past two years. However, those who may think a positive outcome is all but a certainty against the Hornets (1-4; 1-8) should take a closer look at the North Reading season.Like Lynnfield, North Reading lost to league champion HW by a point, 13-12. In their most recent loss, a 15-12 double OT affair against Amesbury, the Hornets failed on a two-point conversion that would’ve secured the win in the first OT. Finally, North Reading held double-digit leads in non-league losses to Austin Prep (30-26) and Bishop Fenwick (30-24, OT) of the Catholic Central Large before running out of gas in each.”They have played some teams really tough and seem to have been snake-bitten. That’s a solid team, they have some nice players who can make plays and they played some of our common opponents really tough,” said Weidman.Hornets’ veteran coach Jeff Wall, now in his eighth season, said his club has remained upbeat throughout the season.”We preach to them to take one day at a time, one play at a time. The atmosphere in practice has been upbeat and positive,” he said. “We ask them to play with heart and pride and they accomplished this. I have never coached a team that has played with more courage than this team. They refuse to give up and have a willingness to fight for four quarters.”Dual threat senior quarterback Nicholas Rosano triggers the Hornets’ spread offense with eight TD passes and four rushing scores. Tight end James Mantho and wideouts Ryley Wamock and Evan Wade all have two TD receptions each while Carl Lipani is the primary running back.Twin linebackers Mantho and Mike Moscaritolo anchor the Hornets’ solid defense, which has yielded just 12.0 ppg to CAL Small competition.”They really seem to try and commit to the run and play man against the pass. If they commit to the run, we have to make them pay in the passing game. If we’re not capable of loosening them up, then it’s going to be a tough day for us,” Weidman assessed.As has been the case all season, the Pioneers will rely on their athleticism and diversity on and offense that averages 31.1 points per game to dictate tempo. Senior quarterback Gino Cohee, the offense’s focal point, has thrown 13 touchdown passes and rushed for eight TDs. AJ Roberto and Rick Berardino have five TD receptions each while senior Jeff Gannon (8 TDs), Berardino (5 TDs) and junior Mike Thomas (5 TDs) spark a multi-pronged ground game.”It’s been one of those things where we feel like we have three, four, five guys capable of making the big play. We’ve been able to spread the ball around and like to think that if you stop one thing, we’re capable of beating you with something else,” Weidman noted.Wall has a straightforward formula for the Hornets to succeed.”I expect Lynnfield to come out firing on all cylinders. Neal is a great coach and will have them in the frame of mind they need to be in. We need to control the ball and keep their offense off the field and play disciplined defense when they have the ball. We need to win the field position battle,” he said.Weidman is expecting nothing less than a full-on battle. “We’re expecting North Reading to come out and try to do whatever they can do t