Pioneers' Summer Schedule Set

by Tom Condardo

Yes we just had our first almost 90 degree day. And yes the last day of school is Friday. So we're in no rush to zip through the summer. But the fact is, the first day of fall practice (August 18) is less than two months away.

So as the temperature rises and vacations begin, our thoughts must turn to….FOOTBALL.

To prepare for their campaign to Threepeat in 2014, head coach Neal Weidman has scheduled a busy summer for the two time defending champion Pioneers. There's a few other things to discuss, but to kick it off, I wanted to lay out the schedule from now until Thanksgiving Day.

Thursday, June 26, 7 pm - Agganis Game at Lynn's Manning Field. Technically this is the end of last season but the game will have a distinctly Lynnfield flavor so I wanted to make sure to note it. Former Pioneer coach and captain and current Triton head coach Pat Sheehan will be leading the South squad assisted Weidman, current Pioneer defensive coordinator John O'Brien and former Lynnfield coaches Mike Geary and Greg Haberland. Five graduated Pioneers will be suiting up for Sheehan: captains Kyle McGah, Anthony Costa, Dom Costa, and Matt Kramich as well as lineman Alex Ganter.

Sunday, June 29 - 7 v 7 Tournament at St. Anselms

Tuesday evening, July 1 - 7 v 7 league game at Bishop Fenwick

Tuesday evening, July 8 - 7 v 7 league game at Bishop Fenwick

Tuesday evening, July 15 - 7 v 7 league game at Bishop Fenwick

Tuesday evening, July 22 - 7 v 7 league game at Bishop Fenwick

Saturday, July 26 - UnderArmour 7 v 7 Tournament at Bishop Fenwick

Tuesday evening, July 29 - 7 v 7 league game at Bishop Fenwick

Saturday and Sunday, August 9 & 10 - Spread Offense Camp at Melrose High School (Lynnfield, Melrose, Reading, Triton, Billerica)

Monday, August 18 - First day of practice

Saturday, August 23, 9 am - Scrimmage at Masco

Tuesday, August 26, 4 pm - Scrimmage at Salem

Friday, August 29, 4 pm - Scrimmage at Northeast Vocational

Friday, September 5 or Saturday, September 6 - Opening game vs Pentucket (time TBA)

Friday, September 12 - Non-league game at Newburyport

Friday, September 26 - League opener at Amesbury

Friday, October 3 - League game at Manchester/Essex

Friday, October 10 or Saturday, October 11 - League game vs Georgetown

Saturday, October 18 - League game at Hamilton-Wenham

Friday, October 24 or Saturday, October 25 - League game vs. Ipswich

October 31/November 1 - TBA

November 7/8 - TBA

November 14/15 - TBA

Thursday, November 27 - Thanksgiving Day game vs North Reading

You'll note there are a number alternative dates for the home games. Those will depend on the progress made on the new stadium at the high school. As you can see from the photos I took the other day, construction is well under way and according to Weidman, the plan is to play all the home games under the lights on the turf at the new field.

"We're looking forward to it," Weidman told me. "The kids will have a chance to play in a beautiful facility with brand new turf field under the lights on Friday nights."

Lynnfield's Future Field of Dreams

A Final Note:

Gaetano Fodero

Congrats to coach Gino Fodera and wife Maura who recently welcomed the newest addition to the Lynnfield football family. Gaetano Fodera came in at 21 inches and 7 lbs, 12 oz. Future lineman perhaps?

"The football parents have been very kind to my wife and I," reported the proud papa.








That's it for now. Check back as the summer progresses for future updates.