WAYLAND – Things could have turned out differently for the Lynnfield High football team with a few big plays Friday night.
But the big plays went in favor of the host Warriors as quarterback Mason Bolivar threw a pair of touchdowns before Jaison Tucker rushed for two en route to a 28-7 win over Lynnfield, which fell to 0-2.
“I would say it was a winnable game for us, but we just needed to produce more offense,” Lynnfield coach Pat Lamusta said. “I think we’re getting there as a team execution-wise, but we’re not there yet. We need another week of good practice.”
Lynnfield cut its deficit to one touchdown with 10 seconds to play in the opening half after junior Clayton Marengi hit classmate John Lee for a 34-yard score, but the Pioneers were unable to find the end zone in the second half while being held to just one first down.
Wayland gained a pair of first downs on its first possession, but Lynnfield’s Matthew Fiore stopped the eight-play drive with consecutive deflections on attempted passes from Bolivar.
The Pioneers couldn’t take the momentum onto the offensive side before the hosts took their first lead at the end of a seven-play drive. Bolivar hit Brett Morris with a 4-yard touchdown pass, and Harrison Kiesman kicked the extra point to give Wayland a 7-0 lead with 4:34 left in the first quarter.
Lynnfield also went three-and-out on its next drive but gained the ball back at Wayland’s 39-yard line after Jeffrey Floramo recovered a fumble on a bad snap. Wayland immediately forced a turnover of its own and made the score 14-0 two series later when Bolivar found receiver Cameron Jones for a 25-yard score and Kiesman sent another PAT through the uprights.
“Our defense was tough, but we need to make sure our offense is there to back them up,” Lamusta said. “It was just an inch off here and an inch off there, so we just need to put it all together as a team. We’re not there yet, but we’re just trying to get better every day.”
Marengi and the Pioneers took the ball back at their 20-yard line with just 2:48 left in the half. A penalty and a 12-yard pass to sophomore Jack Ford on third-and-long brought Lynnfield across midfield before Lee caught the touchdown over his shoulder in the corner of the end zone. Blake Peters kicked the extra point to make the score 14-7.
Tucker provided both of Wayland’s touchdowns on the ground during the second half. He busted through the middle for an 80-yarder after his Warriors took over on downs on Lynnfield’s second possession of the third quarter. A 1-yard run and Kiesman’s PAT made it a 28-7 game with 4:56 left in the fourth.
“I thought (Ford’s touchdown catch would boost the team) in the second half, but at the same time you’ve got to get back out there and make it happen,” Lamusta said. “Stop their big plays, get a few guys to step up and make big plays, and that’s how you win a game.”
Lynnfield continues its season-opening road swing next Friday night (7) at Amesbury.
