Right Around the Corner

Not only is the NFL strike now over, but the local football scene is heating up as well. Preseason practice for the Pioneers is just over two weeks away while opening day against Newburyport comes in only five weeks.

Time to ramp it back up.

As the season gets underway, I will be increasing my posts. My next entry will be on Friday, August 26 followed by another on Friday, September 2 to keep you updated on the latest as the Pioneers swing into action.

Preseason Schedule
And speaking of getting started, let's do just that and take a look at the the Pioneers preseason schedule.

Head coach Neal Weidman will be welcoming his 2011 edition on Monday, August 22. After single practices on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, dreaded double sessions hit on Thursday and Friday.

The Pioneers head to Boxford on Saturday, August 27 for a scrimmage against Masco at 10 am. Former Pioneer captain and assistant coach Pat Sheehan brings his Triton Vikings to the Middle School field for a scrimmage on Wednesday, August 31 at 3:45. The Pioneers wrap up their preseason with the traditional clash with Northeast Regional on Saturday, September 3 at 10 am.

Lynnfield kicks off the season on Saturday, September 10 when they will host Newburyport at 11 am. The Pioneers' full schedule and my first look preview can be found here.

Weidman is looking forward to a "tough but good" season.

"We have a tough non league schedule," Weidman said. "And some of the teams in our league have looked really good in the 7 on 7's. That doesn't always translate to real football though so we'll see."

Cohee Agganis MVP
Catching up on some summer happenings, 2010 captain Gino Cohee ended his outstanding high school career with a stellar performance in the 50th Annual Harry Agganis football classic July 14.

The quarterback led the North squad to its lone score in a 20-8 victory by the South team. With the North trailing 12-0, Cohee came into the game and completed passes of 35 and 30 yards, the latter for the TD to Will Herbert of Winchester that cut the South lead to 12-6. He made it 12-8 with a two point conversion pass to Austin Prep's Joe Diaz.

Cohee, who will be playing for Pace University in New York this fall, finished four of seven for 75 yards and one interception. That accounted for the bulk of the 106 total yardage gained by the North and earned Cohee the North MVP honors.

A. J. Roberto, another Pioneer captain, also played in the game and not surprisingly found himself in the middle of the action as well. The hard nosed linebacker caused one fumble and recovered another.

"He played really well," said Weidman.

Roberto will be playing for Merrimack College this fall.

Summer 7 v 7
The Pioneers have been active this summer participating in the Reading High 7 on 7 Passing league and also playing in the Northeast 7 v 7 tournament at Bishop Fenwick.

Former captain Pat Lamusta has been leading the Pioneers in the 7 v 7 activity and has done a solid job. He is heading back to Framingham State to play for the Rams again this fall.

In the tournament, the Pioneers finished 2-2 as they found themselves in a tough division. They beat Central Catholic 20-14 and Winchester 25-7 but lost to Gloucester 19-0 and Marshfield 18-0 and did not advance to the playoffs.

In the Reading league, the Pioneers beat Fenwick by a touchdown and lost to Methuen by a score in the first week, then split with Reading in week two.  They finish up the summer season this Sunday with a 9 am meeting against Reading and a matchup with Methuen at 10 am.

That's it for now. Check back later in the month for more.