LYNNFIELD — Pioneers football coach Pat Lamusta admits he came into the season with concerns. Lynnfield implemented a new pass-heavy offense and Lamusta wasn’t sure how his team would adjust to it.
Thanks to senior quarterback Clayton Marengi, Lynnfield’s transition to the spread has been a smooth one.
Marengi set a program record last week with his 22nd touchdown pass this season and has thrown for 1,696 yards. Marengi has had four touchdown passes, a Lynnfield single-game record, in three games this fall and once last year, and is closing in yet another record, Matt Mortellite’s mark for single-season passing yardage (1,878).
“I’ve seen tremendous growth in Clayton, especially with pocket presence, progressions and being in sync with the receivers,” Lamusta said. “He spreads the ball around, distributes the football, and he doesn’t lock in on one particular guy.
“Taking the air-attack concept made sense for us. We haven’t had a lot of big linemen the past few years. With an air attack, you can throw the ball at any moment. It just caters to our strengths. We have athletic kids, we don’t necessarily have big kids.”
Lamusta, in his second season as Lynnfield’s head coach, isn’t surprised by Marengi’s success.
“I knew it was going to be a big year for him. We were trying out this new version of the spread offense. I wasn’t sure how that was going to go. But there’s no one else I’d rather give the ball to run the offense. Clayton’s the best athlete in the school. You never know when he’s going to make a big play.”
A two-year varsity starter, Marengi believes his success relies heavily on trusting his teammates. With an offensive line that produces a clean pocket and athletic receivers making plays, Marengi’s comfortable under center.
“Our team has a lot of chemistry,” Marengi said. “Our guys are very close with each other. I think that’s key in having a good team and a successful squad.”
The coaching staff has also done its part in helping Marengi perform. Despite taking command of a new offense, Marengi never felt out of place.
“The coaching has done great this year,” Marengi said. “We have to trust our offense because we have a new offense this year. I’m very close with Coach Lamusta. That’s also key to having a successful team.”
Last year’s team didn’t have the season it set out for. The Pioneers struggled to compete in the Cape Ann League, had just one win at the end of the regular season and finished the year 3-8. But Marengi and his teammates have put 2018 in the rearview mirror.
“It came down to experience,” said Marengi, a three-sport athlete. “We had a lot of guys in their first year playing varsity football. We’re more experienced this year. I think that was important.”
In addition to calling signals and making picture-perfect passes, Lynnfield leans on Marengi’s leadership. Marengi was named a team captain before the season started but the role is far from new to him.
“He’s also a two-year basketball captain and an incoming baseball captain,” Lamusta said. “The offense really runs through him. In big-time situations, he’s just so calm, cool and collected. Everyone looks to him and that settles everyone down. It’s just do your job at that point. He has a very poised, almost business-like ability. He’s a natural leader.”
Marengi follows the footsteps of his older brother, Cooper, who also captained Lynnfield’s football and baseball teams. Cooper Marengi is currently a sophomore at Endicott, where he plays baseball for the Division III Gulls.
“Me and Cooper are super close,” Marengi said. “He’s been a great help, not just this year, but throughout my whole life with advice and things like that.”
Marengi also has a younger brother, Cam, who plays on the freshman football team.
This week, the No. 3 Pioneers (7-1) are focused on CAL rival No. 6 Amesbury (3-5). Lynnfield hosts the Indians Friday (7) in the Division 5 North semifinal. The teams met earlier this season in a 34-24 Lynnfield win.
“Amesbury has a tough offense,” Marengi said. “They run a wing-T so a lot of defenses have trouble against that. With a good week of practice, especially on defense, we should be able to win this game.”
