Heartbreak

So close. Just missed. Almost.

Use whatever term you want, but it all adds up to the same thing.

Disappointment.

The Pioneers nearly pulled off the upset of the year against hyped Hamilton Wenham at the Middle School field today but it was not to be. The Generals overcame a 14-6 deficit with five minutes left in the game to tie it in the final minute and win it 22-14 in overtime.

You never want to blame the officiating, but there is no question that three huge calls that went against the Pioneers greatly aided the Hamilton-Wenham cause.

A ruling of an interception instead of a touchdown pass completion midway in the third period denied one score for the Pioneers and a holding penalty on an apparent 22 yard Mike Karavetsos touchdown early in the fourth period took away another Lynnfield score. And a face mask penalty on the Generals eventual touchdown drive gave H-W a first down at the Lynnfield 30 yard line.

But give the Generals credit. Despite being outplayed for most of the contest, they found a way to take advantage of every opportunity and win a game they probably shouldn't have. That's the mark of a championship team and this General squad certainly has that look.

The Pioneers now fall to 1-1 in league play and will likely need the Generals to lose twice in their final three games or once and hope for some kind of tiebreaker advantage.

However, the Pioneers should be commended for their outstanding play against a dominant opponent. They can build on this to finish their final three games strong and let the chips fall where they may from there.

More on the game in my Villager game story on Wednesday and my Leftovers post tomorrow night.