NORTH READING — The normally potent Lynnfield offense just couldn’t find its footing on the road Friday night, falling to Cape Ann League rival North Reading, 12-6, in the season finale.
“What a game in terms of field position,” said Lynnfield coach Pat Lamusta. “You have one special teams play go awry and next thing you know, the momentum shifted and we were fighting to get out of that first half clean. But our guys competed. This senior group helped get this program back on track and they fought until the last play.
“I can’t tell you how many close games I’ve seen go and someone just gets tackled and they’re out there trying to lateral the ball. That’s the character of the senior group. They were going to try to take it to the bitter end.”
Austin Sutera completed 10-of-15 passes for 70 yards and a touchdown in the loss, while Sam Gazit had one reception for 8 yards and one touchdown. James Considine (three receptions for 25 yards) and Bakari Mitchell (two receptions for 23 yards) also contributed to the passing game.
It was scoreless until late in the first half, when the Pioneers got a terrible break while punting. The kick got caught up in the wind and ended up inside Lynnfield’s 15-yard line, allowing the Hornets to get an easy score and take a 6-0 lead into the half.
That score held until the final five minutes of the game, when the Pioneers finally tied the score on an 8-yard touchdown connection from Sutera to Gazit with 4:22 to play. But the extra point missed, and the score remained tied at 6.
Then, North Reading stepped up when it needed to. Thanks to a 4-yard touchdown run by Ryan McCullough — who actually wrestles on the Lynnfield-North Reading co-op team — the Hornets jumped ahead, 12-6.
Lynnfield had one more chance from the 30-yard line with one second left, but a hook-and-ladder play came up short and North Reading held on to win.
Lynnfield wraps up the season at 5-2. The Pioneers now say goodbye to a strong group of seniors who have seen the program in good times and bad.
“Everyone, from DJ Capachietti to James Considine to Jack Ford, Bakari Mitchell, Niko Marotta, the list goes on,” said Lamusta. “These guys helped us right the ship and that’s important. As bitter as this was, it was great to remind them of all the things they did to get us where we are now. After the game, I told the guys, ‘you beat the pandemic and got to play seven games. How many teams can say that?’”
“It was a positive season and I’m proud of everyone,” said Capachietti. “I couldn’t be more proud of all the seniors and I’m excited to see the juniors coming up next year. But this game, I’m lost for words, it’s hitting me hard. We played hard the whole season, this game included, but they just came up with a big play to beat us.”
Lamusta and several of his players will now make the quick transition to the spring season, as the boys lacrosse team begins practice on Monday.
