LYNNFIELD — The pieces are falling into place for the Pioneers’ football team. At the start of the preseason, there were many unanswered questions, especially concerning the makeup of the defensive line.
But, coming on the heels of Saturday’s successful scrimmage against Melrose, coach Pat Lamusta believes his team will be ready to go Friday night when the season opens at Triton.
“That was a competitive scrimmage,” Lamusta said. “The defense is getting better in terms of getting our reads and being more physical than we were at the Peabody scrimmage. We were able to force a couple of turnovers, which was great. Overall, I was very pleased with our guys’ effort and I truly believe we are ready for Triton. We’re still trying to figure out the defensive line so we’re rotating a lot of guys in.”
“We have about six or seven guys that are in the conversation, which is great because I’d like to be a rotation type to keep those guys fresh because a lot of them play O-line as well. There are a lot of guys who are capable. We want that whole group to play low, have better pursuit and do all those types of things,” he added.
The four Pioneer senior captains agree with Lamusta.
“Melrose is a good, physical team but we came out physical, too,” Joey Cucciniello said. “The thing about that game that I am really happy with is our blockers did really well on that last scoring drive. We are running hard this year, we’re running hard.”
“I think we have some things to work on, especially on the defensive line. A lot of kids are new who didn’t really play last year. But I think we are all growing into the role and as the season progresses I think we will keep getting better to the point that, at the end of the season, we will be one of the best defensive lines in the (Cape Ann League),” Anthony Morales said.
Alex Baldini said he’s been pleasantly surprised with the way some of his teammates have stepped up, including sophomores Nick Kelter and Zahir Mitchell, and the level of play and energy the Pioneers brought to the scrimmage.
“Those are the two main players I’ve really liked seeing the good things they are doing,” Baldini said. “In terms of where this team can be, we just need to put it all together, put our trust into the coaches’ system. Everything really comes down to execution Monday through Thursday and showing up on Friday ready to play.”
Quinn Hardisty has no doubt the Pioneers are up to the task.
“Absolutely. I think we surprised a lot of people today and Triton is going to be surprised seeing this film… (We’re) going up against a team that is projected to be a lot better than us, one we don’t usually play,” he said. “I think we are going to look great on film and Triton will have a lot of things to worry about. I think we are just going to be ready to go and just hit ’em. The offensive line played great as a unit and the defensive line did as well. We still have a lot to work on as far as form goes, but we definitely played physical today. Everyone is hungry and wants to hit and wants to win.”
Lamusta said the defensive line rotation includes Hardisty and Morales, seniors Devin O’Connor, Liam Gorman, Anthony Morales and juniors Landon Verge and Chris Duprey. Hardisty, Morales, O’Connor, Baldini and junior Walt Radulski will likely see time on the offensive line.
Junior Tyler Adamo has the starting nod at quarterback with Kelter, junior Jared Bernabei, senior Niccolo Antidormi, and senior AJ Chiaradonna seeing time in the backfield.
The receiving group includes Cuccinello, Mitchell, and junior Jesse Dorman Jr.
“Those are our feature guys,” Lamusta said.
In terms of the secondary, Lamusta said “George Lambros has been awesome playing a lot at corner and Jesse Dorman, Joey Cucciniello, Zahir Mitchell and senior Ethan Francis have also been great so far. And sophomore Luke DiSilvio is also looking good at corner.”
The linebacking crew includes Baldini, Bernabei and senior Cole Hawes at inside and Chiaradonna, junior Laine McCarthy, junior Madux Iovinelli, junior Maximus Nastari, and senior Sam Scimemi at outside with McCarthy also seeing time on the inside. Lamusta said senior Kyle Schmitz will also play a key role defensively.
Bernabei will handle the punting duties and junior Max LoGrasso will handle the kicking.
“He’s got a leg,” Lamusta said of LoGrasso.
