Twenty Years Ago: Pioneers Learn How To Win

As we prepare for Thursday's big game, I thought it would be a good time to take a look back at another exciting contest in the 53 year series.

Sherman, set the Wayback Machine for November 22, 1990.

The Pioneers came into the1990 game with a modest goal. They wanted a two game winning streak.

Lynnfield struggled through a 1-9 campaign in 1989 and then lost seven of their first eight games in 1990. The young team, with sophomore Chris Sutera at quarterback, was improving as the season went along and seemed to be on the verge of success.

Co-captains Chris Sheehan (older brother of current Triton head coach Pat Sheehan), Tom Hurley and Tim Doyle (current School Committee member) (see photo below) led a Pioneer team that came back twice to beat Masco 16-13 in the game before Thanksgiving. They wanted to beat North Reading to end the year on an up note.

"This would be a big step without a doubt," Pioneer head coach Bill Adams told me before the game. "We have been slowly building a winning attitude. Beating North Reading would be a great continuation of that winning attitude."

The Hornets came into the game at Pioneer Field with a 3-6 record looking to take their second straight Thanksgiving Day win after beating the Pioneers 28-14 in 1989.

Adams played a little bait and switch with the Hornets prior to the game telling me "We will exploit the air attack if weather permits. Our young quarterback has been getting more competitive and savvy about the passing game and we've been effective throwing the ball."

What he didn't tell me was that he was really preparing a much different game plan.

Thanksgiving Day was gorgeous, a perfect day for the predicted Pioneer aerial circus. It never happened.

With the extra time between the Masco game and Thanksgiving, Adams and assistant coach Jim O'Leary, former Salem High quarterback, installed an entirely new offense. They came out in the Salem Triple Stack with Steve Migliero, Sheehan and Todd Guido all lining up in the "I" behind Sutera.

The Pioneers struck first against a confused Hornet defense who were caught off guard by the return to grind it out Lynnfield power football. Steve Rea recovered a Hornet fumble on the opening kickoff setting up the Pioneers on the North Reading 35 yard line.

It took nine plays, but Migliero finally smashed in from the two for the score. The extra point was blocked but the Pioneers led 6-0.

The resilient Hornets answered quickly on their next possession driving 57 yards on 16 plays with quarterback Chris Hanson sprinting in from the four for the TD. Aldo Vittozzi kicked the PAT and the Hornets led 7-6.

The Hornets mounted another threat late in the first half after recovering a fumble on the Pioneer 12 yard line. But the Lynnfield defense, led by freshman Harry Loomos and Doug Coonrod, playing in his first game of the season, stuffed North Reading on three plays and forced a field goal attempt. The snap was high and Hanson had to attempt a pass but a diving Guido knocked the ball down to keep the Pioneers within one.

The two teams battled through a scoreless third period but early in the fourth, the Pioneers began a drive at the NR 43 yard line. Sheehan (see photo below) was the workhorse on the 11 play march taking it down to the four yard line with seven minutes to play in the game. Guido then plunged in for the score to give the Pioneers the lead.

Lynnfield elected to go for the two point conversion and Sutera sprinted to the left. He then stopped, turned around and threw to Mike Accomando who was all alone in the right flat. Accomando cruised in for the two to give the Pioneers a 14-7 lead.

But the Hornets were not done.

The Pioneers turned it over on downs on the Hornet 36 yard line with two minutes left in the game.

The Hornets came up with a "hook and lateral" play with Hanson hitting Bob Colby who lateralled to Guy Oteri who got it to the Lynnfield 42 yard line. On the next play, Hanson found Steve Burt out of the backfield who made several nice moves and motored 42 yards for the touchdown.

The large Pioneer crowd sat in stunned silence.

Trailing 14-13, the Hornets elected to go for the win.

Hanson went back to pass but a blitzing Sheehan got to him and the Hornet QB threw up a last ditch pass which Sutera batted down to secure the win.

"I can't say enough about the efforts of our kids," Adams said after the game. "We could have folded several times today but we didn't. We have definitely jumped a psychological hurdle."

"We had to learn how to win," Adams summed up. "We gained, learned and grew as a team through the tough experiences of the season."

Adams turned out to be a prophet as this big win turned out to be a springboard for the outstanding 1991 season. The Thanksgiving Day win turned out to be the second victory in what would become an eight game winning streak. The '91 team would go on to a 9-1-1 record and be in the hunt for CAL crown until Thanksgiving Day.

That's it for now. Check back Tuesday when I'll have a look at this year's contest. My full preview will be in the Villager on Wednesday.