After a 37-0 victory to open their 2022 campaign, there was buzzing through the Lynnfield streets of a competitive football team.
The Pioneers are now 2-1 with wins over Saugus and Ipswich – their only defeat coming at the hands of non-league opponent Marblehead. All three games were played on enemy territory, and the group outscored their opposition 78-45 in total.
In an opening-night battle with Saugus, Lynnfield defeated them in blowout fashion – shutting them out in front of the Sachem faithful.
Sophomore quarterback Tyler Adamo delivered two touchdowns to two different receivers in the victory – the pass-catchers being upperclassmen Charlie Capachietti (Sr.) and Joey Cucciniello (Jr.).
With the Navy Blue and White forcing two turnovers and submitting nine sacks to the statistics page, both sides of the ball took care of business en route to the always-uplifting 1-0 start.
One Friday later, however, the momentum came to a halt. The group was taken down by Marblehead, 26-18, and their non-league record rounded out to 1-1.
The Magicians’ junior quarterback, Miles O’Neill, caught eyes with 274 yards through the air – dazzling his way to 19 completions and three touchdowns to six different pairs of hands.
Despite the loss, Lynnfield senior Sam Gazit hauled in four catches for 63 yards after just a one-catch performance the week prior.
This past Friday at Jack Welch Stadium in Lynnfield, the Pioneers departed for the buses with smiles and returned to form in a narrow 23-19 win over Ipswich.
Freshman Alvaro Bido played the role of the hero, throwing for 132 yards and two touchdowns. The effort lifted the team to victory in their Cape Ann league opener.
With a 2-1 record in the books, Lynnfield now awaits a prime opportunity: a five-game homestand.
In calendar order, the group faces Newburyport (2-2), Hamilton-Wenham Regional (1-2), Pentucket Regional (0-3), Amesbury (2-0), and, lastly in the homestand, Triton Regional (2-1) on senior night.
Veteran experience has been a pivotal theme through almost one month of play. Senior Robert Marley leads in the rushing yards category (45.7 yards/game) while fellow senior James Sharkey has racked up eight tackles per contest on the defensive end.
Another theme: versatility. 11 different Pioneers have recorded catches while eight players have picked up sacks.
Last season, Newburyport defeated Lynnfield 34-6. This Friday, Sept. 30 at 6:30 p.m., Lynnfield seeks to return the favor in front of the fans who love them most.
Joey Barrett can be reached at [email protected]
