LYNNFIELD — After a turnaround 8-3 season, the Lynnfield football team was well-represented among the Cape Ann League all-stars and awards. The league announced its all-star team and award winners this week.
Pioneers senior quarterback Clayton Marengi was named CAL Baker Division Offensive Player of the Year. Marengi rewrote the history books this season, setting the program’s single-season touchdown pass record (31) and single-season passing yards record (2,542). He also led the team in rushing yards with 251.
“We felt he was Player of the Year material and that’s what we fought for at the league meeting,” Lynnfield coach Pat Lamusta said. “Unfortunately it didn’t pan out that way at the league meeting. If I could give Clayton Man of the Year, I would because he was the face of the team for two years. He fought some injuries during his junior season. We tweaked our offense this year and he didn’t complain about that. He has a great ability to distribute the ball. Clayton’s so poised in the biggest moments.
“All coaches would love to have Clayton. Not only is he a great athlete but he’s a great person. I’m going to miss him immensely because he was a great person on top of being a great athlete.”
Senior John Lee earned CAL Baker Division Special Teams Player of the Year honors. Lee returned three punts for touchdowns this fall, tying Lynnfield’s single-season record. He also recorded 55 tackles and seven pass deflections on offense and caught six touchdown passes.
Lee capped his Pioneers career on a high note with 201 receiving yards and two touchdown receptions in a 21-19 loss to North Reading on Thanksgiving.
“John really did it all for us,” Lamusta said. “One of his punt returns was for 70 yards. It didn’t matter if it was at the beginning of the game or after the game, John’s ability to make big plays was a big part of our success. We’re going to miss him.”
Lynnfield drew five First-Team All-Star selections. Among them was senior 2-way lineman Liam Farrell, who carried both lines this fall. Farrell tallied 56 tackles and three sacks at nose guard.
“Liam received league recognition last year as a first-team all-star,” Lamusta said. “He anchored the offensive line as a senior this year. We only allowed 1.6 sacks per game this season as a team. We had 233 passing yards per game. Although our rushing game struggled a bit this year, we loved to use Liam in the run game. He plays with such intensity and he’s so physical. He’s not the biggest guy but he hits like a big guy. I love his attitude and competitiveness.”
Also on the First-Team All-Star squad were Marengi, Lee, junior running back/linebacker DJ Capachietti and junior receiver/defensive back Jack Ford.
Lynnfield won the league’s Sportsmanship Award. The Pioneers went 3-0 in CAL Baker Division games to capture the division crown. They qualified for the Division 5 North state tournament and reached the sectional semifinal, where the postseason run ended in a 30-23 loss to Amesbury.
“It was an honor that the other coaches felt like we had players with good attitudes and good sportsmanship on top of good athletes,” Lamusta said. “I’m very proud of that. I’m very proud of how our players conducted themselves. Even after the playoff loss to Amesbury the players conducted themselves with dignity. The kids were disappointed but they didn’t let that affect them. They were good sports even with that tough loss to Amesbury.”
