Rondeau’s two big plays made a big difference for Lynnfield

WINTHROP ? The Lynnfield football team has had plenty of memorable plays this season, but perhaps none were bigger than the two senior Cam Rondeau delivered Friday night in the Division 4 North final against Winthrop.In a game that saw plenty of twists and turns for a pair of 9-0 teams, Rondeau stepped up when his team needed it. He caught a Hail Mary pass on the final play of the first half to give his team a two-score lead and then he sealed the Pioneers 35-14 win with a 99-yard fumble return in the fourth quarter.Both plays came on the heels of Winthrop?s gaining momentum in front of a raucous and friendly crowd at Miller Field.?Everyone on this team is all in for the goals we have,” Rondeau said. “We have all been working so hard since January.”Rondeau’s first big moment came after Winthrop had scored with :29 left to cut a 14-0 Lynnfield lead to 14-6. The Pioneers moved the ball down to the Winthrop 12 with :07 left before Danny Sullivan was sacked and had to call timeout.The Pioneers could have attempted a 38-yard field goal. But in the huddle during the timeout Rondeau spoke up.?I told coach (Neal Weidman) to throw it up and Johnny (Knee) or I would make a play,” Rondeau said.And Rondeau did. As Sullivan floated a pass into a crowd, Rondeau was able to outjump two defenders and haul in the 21-yard toss as time expired, sending Lynnfield to the locker room with a 21-6 lead.That score held into the fourth quarter when the Vikings began marching toward a touchdown that would make the final minutes interesting. Winthrop had first-and-goal at the five but the Pioneers stiffened and forced a fourth-and-goal inside the one.Winthrop quarterback Dylan Driscoll tried a sneak but it was blown up and the ball was jarred loose. An alert Rondeau picked up ball, with nothing but open field in front of him. He went the length of the field to seal the North title.?It was really weird to look back at the 40 and see that no one was behind me,” Rondeau said. “For our defense to step up and stop them like that was huge.”