LYNNFIELD — For Lynnfield fans, there wasn’t much good to say about this one.
In its home opener Friday night at Pioneer Stadium, Lynnfield struggled in all phases of the game, losing to Wakefield, 28-0.
Three untimely turnovers, 60 penalty yards, just five first downs, and an inability to take advantage of a couple of big defensive stops early in the third quarter proved costly, dropping the Pioneers to 0-2.
“You have to convert and we didn’t capitalize when we had chances. There were some situations where we needed that one play, but I have to give credit to the Wakefield defense. They played well and were pretty big up front,” said Pioneers’ coach Pat Lamusta. “Their quarterback was pretty efficient and made all the short ones. We’re still stying to find our identity and figure out how to give our kids more opportunities and get our younger linemen feeling good about themselves going into the Cape Ann League games.”
Trailing, 21-0, the Pioneers came into the second half energized, forcing two big defensive stops to keep the game within reach. A Lucas Deraps sack and ensuing punt on the Warriors’ first possession gave the ball to the Pioneers at their own 15. They advanced to the 30 when Xander Janicki (5 carries, 25 yards) broke loose for a 13-yard pickup. A Wakefield penalty and a couple of more yards from Janicki put the ball on the 38, but the Warriors’ second interception of the game ended the drive.
The Pioneers forced a punt on Wakefield’s next possession, returned by Dan Lemieux (2 carries, 34 yards) 27 yards to the Pioneers’ 47. An 8-yard rush by senior captain Luke DiSilvio (4 carries, 21 yards) put the Pioneers in Wakefield territory for the first time in the game, only to fumble it away.
“I thought coming out with a little fire out of the half, it was nice to get a couple of stops and we could get back in the game,” Lamusta said. “Unfortunately, we just didn’t take advantage.”
After that, Warriors’ running back Jaden Fullerton did the rest, allowing Wakefield (2-0) to chew up the clock and put the win in the bank. Fullerton was a real workhouse, finishing with 120 yards on six carries and four TDs.
Lamusta highlighted the play of senior captains DiSilvio, Matt Tracy (5-for-15, 41 yards, 2 INT) and Ben Gazit.
“Luke played right up to the end,” Lamusta said. “That’s how he is. He just competes to the very end. Ben has a lot with playing both ways and Matt just hung in there. We couldn’t get our running game going to free him up.”
Lynnfield is back in action next Friday against CAL foe Ipswich. The road game kicks off at 6 p.m.
“Ipswich runs the ball very well,” Lamusta said. “We’re capable of matching up with them, but we just have to execute.”
