by Tom Condardo
As the Pioneers were warming up before Friday night's game, assistant coach Gino Fodera came over to me and whispered, "The nightmare ends tonight." Following the 32-0 blowout win, he came over again: "The nightmare is over."
There was definitely relief to finally end what has been a frustrating string of losses in War Memorial Stadium. Now that it's behind us, we can look at the bigger picture. The Pioneers did exactly what they needed to do to start the season. They beat two quality opponents - champion and runner up in the CAL Kinney (Large) division last year - on the road. The fact that they did it convincingly, by a 60-7 score, is even more impressive.
So how can we gauge the quality of this Pioneer team after these two wins? How good are Pentucket and Newburyport this year?
"It's too early to tell," Weidman answered when asked the question. "We have to see those teams play other people. (Newburyport) is pretty young. Pentucket was probably a little better team last year. They lost a lot of seniors, especially their line. Let's see how they do against some of their other opponents before we can take away anything from (the two wins). No matter how they do, it's still better than not playing well against them."
Valiant Opponent
Despite the lopsided win, head coach Neal Weidman still had words of praise for the Clippers.
"They were tough," the coach said. "Especially #24."
The diminutive #24 was Connor Brennan, a junior who is listed at 5'5" 145 lbs who was lined up in the middle of the defensive line against the monstrous Pioneer interior line.
"He was a pain in the neck," said Weidman. "He was shooting gaps and flying. They weren't big but they were fast. They're always fast in the skill positions but they were fast at linebacker and fast up front. Eventually our big guys kind of figured it out."
"They always have athletes," Weidman continued. "They have kids that can run every single year. So for one of them not to pop one and get in the end zone is pretty good."
Clipper Series Notes
- The win ups the Pioneer record to 10-32 against Newburyport all time.
- With this year's win, the Pioneers have now beaten Newburyport two years in a row. This is only the third time it's happened. They turned the trick in 1977 (6-0) and 1978 (28-8), and again in 1985 (21-7) and 1986 (19-7).
- This was the first time Lynnfield has shut out the Clippers since 1977 when they blanked them 6-0.
Turning Point
The key play of the game was the 81 yard bomb from Danny Sullivan to Cam Rondeau early in the second period that put them up 10-0. Weidman was particularly pleased with that play.
"That was game planning stuff that we put in for this game," he explained. "It isn't one of our base offensive plays. And for us to have a short week and only a day and a half of offense for them to actually do it was pretty good. Rourke and Sullivan did an awesome job selling it. Cam sold it great on his route and obviously the throw and catch were good."
That began a furious sequence that saw the Pioneers completely dominate the end of the first half. From the big defensive stop at the five yard line until the end of the half, the Pioneers amassed 151 yards and 22 points. In the same time period, the Clippers lost a total of 4 yards on 5 plays, committed a turnover, and had a kneel down on a punt that gave the Pioneers the ball on the Newburyport 17 yard line.
Sullivan Strong
It was another strong day for Sullivan. He was 7 for 11 for 160 yards and a touchdown. His NFL passer rating was 95.31. For the first two games, the senior captain is 14 for 23 for 347 yards, three touchdowns and no picks. His two game passer rating is 106.8.
Roaring Start
This was only the sixth time in school history that the Pioneers have beaten both Pentucket and Newburyport in the same season and the first time since 1991. They also pulled off the double play in 1978, 1982, 1985, and 1986.
This is the 18th time in school history the Pioneers have won their first two games. They did it 14 times in the 51 seasons between 1958 and 2008. They've now done it four times in the last seven years under Weidman.
The six points allowed in the first two games is the fewest since 1991 when Lynnfield shutout St. Mary's of Lynn 36-0 and beat Wayland 7-6.
Turnover Battle
One of the keys to the Pioneers's strong start has been their proficiency in the turnover department. They have won that key battle 7-0.
Balance of Power
Weidman talked about the team needing to have more offensive balance this year. That has turned out to be an understatement.
In two games, the Pioneers have 347 rushing yards and 5 TD's and 350 yards and 3 TD's passing. They are also spreading the scoring around. They have eight total touchdowns and they've been scored by seven different players.
Just for Kicks
Dan Bronshvayg continues to get stronger with his place kicking. He is now 7 for 7 in PAT's in the first two games and he booted his first varsity field goal from 27 yards out against the Clippers. It was the first Pioneer field goal since 2010 when all time leading kicker Steve Ullian hit one against Hamilton Wenham in the heartbreaking 16-15 loss to the Generals.
Ullian holds the single season (3) and career (6) record for field goals. He hit three in both 2009 and 2010.
Bronshvayg also threw his second two point conversion against Newburyport. The first came against Watertown last season.
That's it for now. Check back tomorrow night and I'll review the non-league CAL Baker action.
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