Senior Celebration

Before the game, the Pioneer seniors presented their parents with flowers in honor of Senior Day at Pioneer Field at the Middle School.

For the next two hours, the seniors played key roles as Lynnfield giftwrapped a 41-0 bludgeoning of a resurgent Ipswich team as another gift to their proud parents and the rest of the large home crowd.

Seniors Gino Cohee (2 TD runs), Rick Berardino (2 TD runs), AJ Roberto (1 TD pass reception) and Steve Ullian (5 PAT's) all scored for the Pioneers. Seniors Craig Cataldo, John Bossi and Nick Burtman helped control both sides of the line. Senior defensive backs Wes Sullivan, Tim Shannon and Matt Kelly delivered several key hits and defended the Tiger passing game. Senior Pete Foustoukas made solid contributions from his receiver spot.

Sophomore Mike Karavetsos added the sixth Pioneer touchdown and freshman Kyle McGah and sophomore Tyler Palumbo played key roles from the linebacker spots while sophomore Andrew Kibarian, juniors Jonathan Roberto and  John Gaff provided their usual solid line play. Junior running back Mike Thomas had a solid day filling in for the injured Jeff Gannon.

All in all, a great team effort.

The win sets up a monumental game with Hamilton Wenham next week in Wenham. The Generals are undefeated in league play and if they defeat the Pioneers, they will clinch the league title and a playoff berth. A Lynnfield win keeps their playoff hopes alive. They would then have to beat North Reading while Amesbury would need to beat Newburyport on Thanksgiving Day to get them back to the postseason.

The race is still on.

Check back tomorrow night for much more on the big win over the Tigers in my Leftovers post.