Holliston defense the difference in win over Pioneers

LOWELL ? Try as it might, not much worked for Lynnfield?s offense in Saturday?s 26-0 Division 4 State Semifinal loss to Holliston at Cawley Stadium. Wherever they probed ? inside, outside, or over the top ? the Pioneers were rebuffed at every turn by a ferocious Panthers? defense. The multiple schemes Holliston presented weren?t the problem. Coach Neal Weidman said the Pioneers were prepared for them. However, the dazzling speed and precision with which Holliston attacked kept Lynnfield stuck in neutral from start to finish. “Their overall speed was the deciding factor. They did exactly what they wanted to do. They spill everything to the outside and they get you running sideways. It wasn?t that they were great tacklers. It was more how quickly they got off blocks. They were off blocks in a heartbeat,” Weidman said. “We couldn?t do the things we?ve done all year.” The result was a season-low output in both rushing (108 yards) and total offense (178 yards) for the Pioneers. While Lynnfield had only four negative yardage plays, the offense was off schedule throughout as 14 others went for three yards or less and only five for 10 yards or more. ***Lynnfield?s defense did get to Holliston?s stalwart multi-purpose back Nick Athy for three sacks for minus-15 yards, all in the second quarter, by Trevor Caswell, Kevin Lee and Jake Rourke. Cam Rondeau had a strip and fumble recovery on an Athy interception return, also in the second quarter. Athy (ankle) was injured on the first play of the fourth quarter and left on crutches. Defensive line standout Joao Vitor do Carmo also exited with an injury and didn?t return. ***It?s a quick turnaround for the Pioneers, who face North Reading (4-6) at home on Thanksgiving morning (10:30). “We have to find a way to get past this. It will be difficult but we have to get them ready for Thursday,” said Weidman