Thanksgiving preview: Lynnfield wants to keep special season going against North Reading

The Lynnfield football team had a magical season last year, as the Pioneers went all the way to the Division 3A Super Bowl were they lost to Bishop Feehan.View season’s photos from throughout the fall season on the North ShoreLynnfield had a lot of turnover from last season to this one, but followed its super bowl run with a 9-1 record this season and an appearance in the Division 4 North playoffs. Lynnfield now waits for Thanksgiving Day to square off against rival North Reading.Lynnfield only had four returning starters on defense and three returning starters on offense. It was a great challenge the Pioneers had to face, but were able to pass with flying colors.”I had no idea what to expect coming into this season,” Lynnfield coach Neal Weidman said. “What we found out quickly was our young players weren’t only very talented, but were able to learn our system fast. Our veteran players that we had left took pride in becoming the leaders for our team and did a great job in that role. They did such a great job that it was able to rub off on the younger players, who became strong leaders as well.”Lynnfield’s youth was able to start their season winning its first eight games of the season. The Pioneers lone blemish of the season came against Bedford, when the Pioneers fell 14-7 in the Division IV playoffs.”It was disappointing to lose our perfect season, but I could not be any more proud of this group even after the loss,” Weidman said. “This was a great group of kids to coach and I look forward to coaching this group for the rest of their high school careers.”Lynnfield did not just do one thing extraordinary well; the Pioneers were a complete football team that did not have to rely on an individual’s talent for success.”I knew we had a chance to be good this season, and I knew we were going to find our chemistry quickly to have success,” Weidman said. “This group not only jelled fast, but looked like they been together all four years on offense, defense and special teams. It was very special to be a part of a unit that was able to trust the person next to them, and not look for just individual accolades, but for team success. I was very impressed with the maturity level of this youthful team.”Lynnfield is now preparing for North Reading on one of the most sacred days to play football, Thanks giving. The Piuoneers were able to squeak by the Hornets last year 14-7, but the year before North Reading was able to come out the victor. The Hornets has a record of 6-4 overall, and the Pioneers know they are going to have their handfuls on turkey day.”North Reading came out of the gates slow, but as of late have been on a bit of a roll,” Weidman said. “North Reading has a little more experience across the board than we do, but overall are in a very similar position that we are. North Reading has a lot of new faces in their starting lineup, but those faces are very talented. Last year was a one possession game and we were a super bowl participant. There is going to be a lot of emotion and passion on display next Thursday, and a lot of our unit has not been in environment like they will be on Thanksgiving. All season long our kids were mentally and physically ready for each game, and I do not see that trend changing on Thanksgiving.”Lynnfield had won four of the past five meeting against North Reading, but each of those games were very close and could have went either way. The Pioneers will be looking to top of another successful season with one more impressive win in 2013 at North Reading.