Pioneers Wrap Up Busy Summer

by Tom Condardo

There's a touch of fall in the air which means football can't be far away. Preseason practice starts two weeks from today so I thought it would be a good time to review what the Pioneers have been doing this summer.

I caught up with head coach Neal Weidman recently and he reviewed what was a busy summer schedule for the team. The Pioneers played in several 7 on 7 tournaments, participated in a Sunday morning 7 v 7 league, and worked out doing strength and conditioning drills three times a week at the high school.

Captain Matt Kramich in Under Armour 7v7

"It's a fine line between getting better and over scheduling the kids in the summer," Weidman told me. "I'm trying to walk that line right now."

The schedule started in June with the Pioneers participating in the Reading league on Sunday mornings. They've played in that league for the past few years and this year was a little more impromptu because of all the 7 v 7 tournaments that disrupted the schedule. However, it was another chance for them to work on things against good competition.

St. Anselm's Tournament
The first 7 v 7 tournament took place on June 30 when the Pioneers travelled to Manchester, NH to play in the annual St. Anselm's Tournament. Lynnfield did well according to Weidman.

"We made it to the semi's so we were in the final four," the coach told me. "I think it's the furthest we've ever gone. There were 32 teams and we were one of the last four standing along with Dracut, Tewksbury and Central Catholic. We lost to Tewksbury in the semi-finals."

The Pioneers defeated several good teams along the way including Manchester (NH) West and former Pioneer coach Pat Sheehan's Triton squad in the playoffs.

Under Armour Northeast 7 v 7 Championship
On July 27th, the Pioneers were one of 40 teams participating in the Under Armour Northeast 7 v 7 Championship. The tournament actually began years ago as a join effort between Lynnfield and Swampscott, gained a sponsor in Under Armour, and has now grown into one of the biggest tournaments in the area.

The Pioneers started slowly, losing tough battles to Bedford 14-12 and Masco 13-12.

Cam Rondeau in Under Armour 7v7

"We never should have lost those two games," said Weidman who was on hand as an observer. "We had Bedford beaten and then kind of handed that one to them. We had Masco beaten too. We were about to go up by two scores and they picked one off and returned it for a touchdown."

Lynnfield regrouped however and won their final two games defeating Pinegree 21-12 and a strong Billerica team 25-18. Billerica wound up making it to the final four before losing in the semi-finals to powerhouse Reading. The Pioneers were the only team to beat Billerica until they got to the final semi's.

"We ended up completely outplaying Billerica and they made it to the final four," Weidman said. "Everyone on the team ended up playing and it's tough to get in a rhythm when kids are going in and out."

QB Danny Sullivan in Under Armour 7v7

"The last two games we beat Pinegree pretty handily and played really well against Billerica. They punched one in at the end. It was unfortunate because if Masco had beaten Billerica in the final game, we would have won the tiebreaker and gone to the playoffs. Based on what Billerica did, we probably would have done pretty well."

Weidman was pleased with the effort and the team's ability to bounce back.

"The effort was good," he said. "Seeing a lot of different guys playing in different positions was good. The best thing was the fact that we started 0-2 and they had a choice. They could have just gone through the motions and gone home or they could try and make the playoffs which they almost did by playing great the last two games. So the fact that they recovered after the first two games was probably the most impressive thing."

Weidman was also proud of the fact that the players themselves ran the show.

"Quarterbacks Danny Sullivan (junior) and Adam Buchanan (sophomore) called all the plays," said Weidman. "Every single one. They did a nice job. This summer in all the 7 v 7's they learned. They called all the plays this summer as well. Based on defenses and down and distance they decided what plays to call. It was good for them. The kids got lined up, called the formations, and ran the plays."

New Kids on the Block
Weidman told me there will be some new faces on the team this year with three players returning from private school. Junior David Adams, son of former Lynnfield AD and long time Pioneer head coach Bill Adams, has returned from Governor's Academy. Junior Jake Rourke is coming from Holderness and Senior Alex Ganter is returning from St. Mary's.

Weidman said Adams will likely see action as a linebacker and offensive lineman while Rourke is a linebacker and running back. Ganter, a hockey player who hasn't played football before, will be slotted as a defensive end and tight end on offense.

Preseason Schedule
The Pioneers preseason slate is as follows:
Mon, Tues, Wed August 18, 19, 20: Helmets only practice
Thurs, Fri, August 22 & 23: Double sessions
Saturday, August 24, 10 am: Scrimmage @ Masconomet
Tuesday, August 27, 3 pm: Controlled practice/scrimmage vs. Andover
Friday, August 30, 4 pm: Scrimmage @ Northeast Regional
Wednesday, September 4, 4 pm: Scrimmage @ Winchester

The Pioneers open the 2013 season at home on Saturday, September 14 at 11 am with a non league game against Newburyport.

The first action of the season will take place a week earlier when the Pioneer JV's will take on Chelsea on September 7th.

That's it for now. Check back in a few weeks for more on the upcoming season.