Lynnfield (2-0) readies for 0-2 Malden at home on Friday

Published September 25, 2019

By JAMES CRANNEY

MEDFORD — During the 615 Lynnfield high school football games played since 1958, at no point have the Pioneers ever squared up against the Mustangs from Medford.  Last Friday night for game 616, that all changed.

Coming off a commanding 43-7 season opening win, Lynnfield looked for victory number two going into Hormel Stadium for this historic meeting.  Last week, the Pioneers were able to impose their will on an undersized Newburyport team with only four seniors at hand. This week’s matchup brought a different story going up against a much larger and aggressive Medford opponent.

Despite the physical changes in the opposition, the end result would not vary.

JOHN LEE keeps his balance after shedding a tackler on his way to a 60-yard punt return touchdown. Blocking is Nikolas Marotta (66). (Kristine Marengi Photo)

Lynnfield asserted their dominance early on in their first possession, driving it down the field for an opening 6-0 lead. The remainder of the first quarter would be a battle of the defenses. The Mustangs’ offense finally reached midfield and hoped to pressure the Pioneers, but an Aidan McCormack interception would put an end to that.

Following the turnover, senior captain Clayton Marengi (5-11, 103 yards, 2 touchdowns) would begin the next drive completing two quick passes to senior captain John Lee (1 catch, 10 yards) and junior receiver Jack Ford (5 catches, 94 yards, 2 touchdowns). At their own 49 yard line, Lynnfield looked to take a shot. Marengi threw a high arching pass to Ford that just missed for a huge completion.

Five plays later on a 1st and 20, they would not miss. Marengi lofted another deep ball to his left where Ford would snatch it away from the Mustang defender for a 44 yard pickup. A jet sweep to John Lee at the Medford 2 yard line would give the Pioneers a 12-0 lead with a little over 10 minutes to play in the second quarter.

NICK BOUSTRIS (1) and the Pioneer defense shut down Medford on Friday night. Pictured, Boustris returns an interception 55 yards for a pick six while getting some blocking from his defensive teammates including Liam Farrell (65) and Owen Blacker (55). (Kerrianne Allain Photo)

Eight minutes remained before halftime and Medford really needed a momentum swing on offense. Two fifteen yard penalties from Lynnfield would certainly help the Mustangs’ cause. The Pioneer defense may have slightly bent from the mental mistakes, but they would not break.

Heavy pressure up front on a 2nd and 20 forced Medford quarterback Aidan Barry to throw before he was ready. Barry’s ball would still be completed, it just landed in the arms of Lynnfield defensive back Nicholas Boustris. With blockers out in front, Boustris shot up the left sideline and would not be touched for a 55-yard pick six. Lynnfield now lead 18-0 and had a stranglehold on the game. After forcing another three-and-out on defense, that Pioneer grip was about to become even tighter.

John Lee fielded a punt at his own 40 yard line. The senior started up the right side then shot through a crease towards the middle. He made a few guys miss and before you knew it was in the back of the end zone for a 60 yard touchdown.

JACK FORD skies for a big catch. The junior had two touchdown receptions in the game. (Kerrianne Allain Photo)

“The punt return sticks out,” stated Lynnfield head coach Pat Lamusta following the game. “An explosive play from a group of players where some are starters and some are role players, but you have your captain John Lee back there who can really turn the game in our favor.”

Lee’s return without question turned the game in the Pioneers favor as their lead now expanded to 25. With 38 seconds left before heading into the locker room, Lynnfield’s defense would have to hold their ground just once more.

With the ball at the Pioneer 30 yard line, Barry lobbed a jump ball to the end zone where Lynnfield defensive back Bakari Mitchell simply wanted it more ripping it away from the Mustang receiver. The third interception for the Pioneers would provide them a 25-0 lead with just two quarters to play.

If there was going to be any chance of a Medford comeback, Lynnfield dashed those hopes pretty early. On the Mustangs’ first possession of the second half, senior defensive lineman Owen Blacker would pick up the first of his two sacks tossing the Medford quarterback to the turf. On the next play, a tipped ball towards Colby Clattenburg gave the Pioneer defense their fourth interception on the night.

“Defense, defense, defense,” exclaimed coach Lamusta. “The defense just kept us in a position where we could leverage during the game.  Defense and special teams were huge, and we had big plays on offense too.”

A 24 yard touchdown pass from Marengi to Ford would be the last big play on offense for the night, pulling the Pioneer lead to 31. From there, both teams emptied the benches and gave many younger players valuable varsity experience. Medford would ruin the Lynnfield shutout when they scored in the final minute of the third quarter, but that would be the only points they could muster. In the end, the Pioneers would win 31-8 on the road against an unfamiliar opponent.

Sitting at 2-0 Lynnfield has much to be proud of, but as all the great teams know, you can always be better.

“I was really pleased with all three phases of the game tonight,” claimed coach Lamusta. “Obviously there’s still a lot to work on. 2-0 is a good feeling, but hey, we still got a long way to go.”