Ipswich Game Preview: Senior Salute

by Tom Condardo

For many teams, it might have been better for Ipswich to have beaten Manchester-Essex last week. That would have meant that the Pioneers would need to win Friday night to capture the CAL Baker title. Instead, the Ipswich upset loss made last Saturday's game a winner-take-all affair. Some teams might be prone to have a letdown after a huge win like the Pioneers had over Hamilton-Wenham.

Some teams. Not this team.

And there's a particular reason for that: this senior class. They have led a Pioneer team that has shown a laser-like focus and mental toughness all year. Yes they had some blowouts. But they made sure they were blowouts, taking care of business from the opening whistle. They left no doubt.

They also know that Friday's game is still huge - title or no title. It can mean the difference between hosting a home playoff game in the first round or traveling to Watertown, Winthop or Triton. Not an inviting prospect.

When you really look at it, there should be no surprise that this senior group has been able to maintain their focus so well. Look at their resume. Since their sophomore year they been part of three teams that have:

- Won 24 of 29 games.
- Captured three league titles
- Won a winner take all defacto championship game against North Reading with a playoff berth on the line
- Defeated Hamilton-Wenham twice in defacto championship games
- Played in four playoff games, winning two
- Played in a Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium
- BEAT THE CLIPPERS IN NEWBURYPORT TO END THE CURSE

Is it any wonder that they have a "been there/done that" demeanor? They aren't blinded by the bright lights - even the new ones at LHS. They are not satisfied with what they've accomplished. They have their eyes on the biggest prize - a state championship - and they know that Friday night's game is a huge step toward that goal.

So it's fitting that they will be honored before the game during Senior Night ceremonies. They are the most successful senior class since 1962 and deserve their moment in the sun (lights?). And based on past history, the pregame hoopla won't be a distraction and they'll come out ready to play.

It's what they always do.

Throw Up Thursday
That being said, time to slip on my Denny Downer personna for a trip in the Wayback Machine. Today we travel back to 1991 to visit another undefeated Pioneer team (5-0-1) getting ready to take on Ipswich.

There were a couple of significant differences from tomorrow night's game. First, the game was played in Ipswich, and second the Tigers were legitimate title contenders. They came into the game 4-2 overall but 3-1 in the league right behind the 3-0-1 Pioneers. Lynnfield came in riding an eight game unbeaten streak having survived a 13-13 tie with Hamilton Wenham the week before.

The Tigers exploded out of the locker room whirling and twirling with their infernal Delaware Wing T offense and proceeded to shred the up to that time solid Pioneer defense. In their first six games, Lynnfield had allowed only 34 points and 408 yards rushing. On that sunny afternoon, the Tigers rolled for 333 yards on the ground and tallied 35 points.

"Before the game I wouldn't have thought this could happen to our defense," head coach Bill Adams told me after the game. "This was not our most spirited effort."

The Pioneers actually took a 14-7 lead into the locker room thanks to a pair of Chris Sutera TD passes. The first was a 22 harder to Billy Adams Jr. - brother of current Pioneer captain David Adams - and the second a 48 yard swing pass to Todd Guido. The second half, however, was a disaster.

The Tigers scored the first three times they touched the ball to take a 28-14 lead late in the third quarter. The Pioneers appeared to get back in it on the kickoff following the Tiger score when Guido rocketed 87 yards for an apparent score. Unfortunately, a holding penalty called it back and when the Pioneers fumbled on the Ipswich nine yard line a couple of plays later, the game was effectively over.

"We hurt ourselves with penalties, dropped passes, and mistakes, especially when the game was on the line," Adams summed up. "We can't do that against good teams."

The loss proved to be the low point of the season as the Pioneers rolled over Newburyport, Triton, North Andover, and North Reading by a combined 99-31 score to complete the season. They finished 7-1-1 in the league and 9-1-1 overall. That would stand as the best Lynnfield winning percentage (.818) until the 2009 Champion Pioneers compiled a 10-2 mark (.833).

The one loss kept the title out of their grasp as they finished a half game behind the Tigers who won the CAL crown with an 8-1 league record. One other tidbit. Playing on that Tiger championship team was Greg Brotherton, who will be on the sidelines tomorrow night as the Ipswich head coach.

Tigers On The Prowl
Brotherton will lead a snarling group of Tigers into LHS Stadium Friday night. They know they missed a golden opportunity to win a third straight game and keep themselves alive for a playoff spot when they were stunned by Manchester-Essex 21-14 last week.

Brotherton, in his second year as head coach, has done a great job turning the Ipswich program around. He called the performance against the Hornets "undisciplined" and told Jean DePlacido of the Salem News that he was "embarrassed."

"We had those two big wins over Georgetown and Amesbury and took Manchester Essex too lightly," he said.

They won't take the Pioneers lightly and will be looking to make their season by knocking Lynnfield out of the ranks of the undefeated and confounding their playoff plans.

Aleks Kuljic, Robbie Glavin, and Eddie Flaherty lead a Tiger defense that has played well all year. They did not allow a defensive touchdown to Hamilton Wenham as the Generals scored their 24 points on defense and special teams.

Sophomore running back Charlie Gillis has been a weapon all year from scrimmage and on special teams. Junior quarterback Jake Long hurt his hand against M/E and finished the game playing defense only. It's not clear whether he will be under center against the Pioneers.

The Ipswich line led by three year starter Matt Carey has been improving, but like most Pioneer opponents they will be giving away 40-50 pounds per player. The most size comes from center Josh Brown at 6' 210 and tackle Jared Conway at 6'2 205. But size has never been the main criteria for success with Ipswich who rely on angle blocking, speed, and quickness to get the job done.

Senior Night festivities start at 6:20 and game time is 7 pm.

That's it for now.