Lynnfield runs over Ipswich to remain unbeaten

LYNNFIELD – With an unbeaten march to the Cape Ann League Baker Division title complete, Lynnfield now awaits next week’s Division 4 North quarterfinal opponent, to be set tomorrow afternoon.This much is clear: After running over Ipswich last night on Senior Night at Pioneer Stadium, 41-0, Lynnfield (7-0) will open at home. The shutout was the third straight and fourth overall for Lynnfield, which has outscored its opponents, 263-20.”We’ll see how it shakes out,” said coach Neal Weidman in regards to the playoffs, “but it will be nice to have a home game. We’re excited — this is what you want.”As has been their modus operandi all season, the Pioneers started fast, built an insurmountable halftime lead and put the game away in the third period.”We had some trouble with the snaps early but we made some big plays. The beginning of every game can be a little shaky because everyone’s going a thousand miles an hour. It becomes a game of attrition,” said Weidman.Senior wideout Jon Knee got the Pioneers on the board with a lightning strike at 47 seconds, taking senior quarterback Dan Sullivan’s swing pass and sprinting 74 yards for the score on the game’s second play. Dan Bronshvayg’s PAT kick made it 7-0.Then, with 1:11 left in the quarter, senior Cam Rondeau doubled the lead with a 62-yard interception return that short-circuited a promising drive by the Tigers (2-5).After Lynnfield’s defense — which held Ipswich to minus-9 rushing yards in the first half and 21 for the game — turned back the Tigers on downs at the Pioneers’ 31, senior running back Jake Rourke (9 carries, 108 yards) took over.First he raced 53 yards to make it 20-0 with seven minutes left in the half. Three minutes later he punched in from a yard out after Sullivan’s 39-yard strike to Rondeau at the Tigers’ nine. That sent the Pioneers off with a 27-0 lead at the break.Junior burner Drew McCarthy (8 carries, 148 yards) provided the exclamation point in the third period with scoring bursts of 43 and 68 yards on consecutive carries three minutes apart.”We’ve had a lot of different guys step up and different guys handling the ball all season,” said Weidman.If there is any concern moving forward, it may be that Lynnfield’s starters haven’t had to play a full game due to their dominance.”They certainly know they have to play four quarters now. It might be a concern, but it’s one we’re happy to have. The good thing is we have quite a few pretty good juniors and sophomores who are back-ups and have gained some experience,” Weidman said.