Lynnfield keeps the pressure on Manchester

MANCHESTER – Senior Cam Rondeau lit the fuse with a game-opening 85-yard kickoff return and a 39-yard touchdown reception on Lynnfield’s second play from scrimmage and the Pioneers exploded past Manchester, 42-7, Friday night at Hyland Field.Minus multiple injured starters, including two captains, the undermanned Hornets (0-4) couldn’t match the undefeated Pioneers (4-0), who were deep into their reserves by the start of the second quarter.Lynnfield scored on three of five offensive snaps in the first quarter. The Pioneers piled up 234 yards from scrimmage on 12 plays and tacked on another 100 return yards before halftime.Manchester managed just 94 net yards and five first downs for the game. The teams played running time in the second half.”They (Manchester) were decimated with injuries. We knew that coming in and the kids talked about being ready. It’s still about preparation,” said Lynnfield coach Neal Weidman. “The kids have set some goals they want to reach. It’s about not taking a step backwards and about trying to get better each week.”On the kickoff, the blocks set up nicely and Cam made one nice move. That’s the key on any return — you have to make the first guy miss,” he said.Senior quarterback Dan Sullivan delivered a 39-yard scoring strike to Rondeau 10 yards clear of the secondary for a 14-0 lead just 3:27 into the game.Senior Jake Rourke’s only carry of the game resulted in a thunderous 57-yard TD dash with 5:21 left in the quarter. Back-up junior quarterback Jake McHugh pitched in two minutes later with a 45-yard score off an option read keeper for a 28-0 lead after one quarter.Senior Jon Knee’s four-yard scoring run and junior Drew McCarthy’s 35-yard sprint expanded Lynnfield’s lead to 42-0 at halftime.Junior Chris Carr (14 carries, 82 yards) notched Manchester’s lone score, a 68-yard burst on the second play of the fourth quarter.After spending the season’s first month on the road, the Cape Ann League Baker leaders christen their new on-campus stadium next Friday night against Georgetown (7).”We appreciate it ? a lot of people put a lot of hard work into this. You know the other day we had the football team, soccer teams and field hockey team either practicing or playing games on turf at the same time. We’re pretty lucky – it’s a pretty good place to be,” Weidman said.