by Tom Condardo
Okay. It's been 72 hours. Times to shake it off. I won't even mention the "H" word in this post. To paraphrase Bill Belichick, we're on to North Reading!
The Pioneers came out in a daze against the Raiders and played most of the first half in a funk. They fell behind 14-0 and managed only 57 yards of offense and gave up 148 on defense until the final minute of the half. Then they flipped the switch mounting a last minute drive capped by a Danny Sullivan to Jon Knee 30 yard TD with four seconds left in the half.
They were more themselves in the second half and outscored Watertown 14-6 to take an exciting come from behind 21-20 win. They were hit by the injury bug after that and limped into North Reading where they lost a 42-35 shootout.
Which brings us to the archival Hornets. North Reading is back in gear after a mid season meltdown that saw them lose five straight. They come in 4-6 but have won two of their last three and their only loss was a 29-27 barnburner to Newburyport in their last game.
1. WIN 11 Games
With a win over the Hornets, the Pioneers will become the first and only Lynnfield team to win 11 games. They are already only the second team in LHS history to win 10 games, matching the 2009 10-2 team. One more puts them at the top of the heap.
2. Show Resiliency
Thanks to their overwhelming performances this year, the Pioneers have never had to bounce back from adversity. They trailed for less than a quarter all year and that was in the opening game against Pentucket. The loss Saturday to "the team that must not be named" was the first time they were behind all game and obviously their first loss. This would be a good time for them to show that they can overcome hardship and rise to the occasion.
3. Defend Their New Home
Head Coach Neal Weidman always emphasizes protecting the home field and this year there is an added incentive. The Pioneers have yet to lose at their new field, going a perfect 4-0 so far and they should not want their archrival to put the first black mark on LHS Stadium.4. Score 400 points
Only one team in LHS history has scored more than 400 points and that was the amazing 1960 team that put up 410 in nine games. The Pioneers come in with 365 points and an outside shot at hitting the big 4-0-0. They currently are averaging 33.2 points per game and need at least a couple of touchdowns to beat last year's 31.4 which currently ranks second best all time in points per fame average.
5. Avenge 2011 and 2013
Injuries are part of the game, but the last two times the Pioneers travelled to North Reading, they have not been at full strength. The results have been two losses 42-35 last year and 37-18 in 2011. The 42 the Hornets hung on them last Thanksgiving is the most scored against Lynnfield in the last 39 games. And the 37 points in 2011 were the second most. The Pioneers have just run a brutal gauntlet with four straight playoff games and have the bumps and bruises to show for it, but they go into this game as healthy as they have been since the 2012 14-7 win.
6. Show They Can Stop the Wing
I don't know about you, but I'm sick and tired of double wings, single wings, Delaware Wing T's, pistol wings, Navy triple options, War Packages, and every other kind of wing you can think of. Time for the Pioneer defense to step up and stop the madness. And what would be a better way than to figure out a way to stop the single wing, which has tormented them since former Hornet offensive coordinator Ed Melanson installed it in 2011.
7. Finish On a Positive Note
Whatever happens in this one, the returning players will have to live with it all winter, spring, and summer. The juniors on this team should want to finish strong so they can start their 2015 senior season on a positive note.
8. Reward Their Coaches
As brutal as it has been for the Pioneers to play four tough games in a row, it's been just as rough for the Pioneer coaching staff to prepare for them. Three of the four playoff games came against teams Lynnfield hasn't played (or in the case of the "H" team, not since 1958). I can only imagine the time and effort that went into putting game plans together to put the Pioneers in the best possible position. And this team has been one of the most prepared teams in Lynnfield history. Time for the boys to step up and reward Weidman, John O'Brien, Gino Fodera, Chris Sakelakos, Fern Lavoie, Vin Calderone, Pat Lamusta, John Bossi, Jeff Gannon, and Tom DiPaolo for their endless hours of work.
9. Send the Seniors Off Right
The seniors on this team represent the winningest three year class of any team in Lynnfield history with 28 wins. They have proven to be great leaders and graduate with three league championships, a division title, a Super Bowl appearance, and eight playoff games. It would be fitting to send them off with a win.
10. It's Thanksgiving Day!
Any more questions?
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| Battle Zone - Lynnfield at North Reading 2007 (Guess who's about to make the tackle?) |
Familiar Look
If you read my Villager preview (and if you haven't why not?), you know that Ed Melanson resigned early this year as Offensive Coordinator. He was suspended for an alleged run in with another coach over field space, then subsequently resigned. The feeling was that a small group of parents were looking to push him out, not happy with his offense, despite all the success.
Despite his departure, the Hornets still run his defense, and after a mid season swoon, they appear to be hitting on all cylinders again. The run heavy attack is led by Matt McCarthy, brother of C. J. McCarthy who ran all over the Pioneers last year. John Merullo and David Smith also have had good years.
So they'll be no surprises on what they run. The only question is whether the Lynnfield defense can adjust and stop it.
Even Series
Although the Pioneers own a 33-23 edge in the series, the rivalry has been quite even in the recent past. In the last ten years, North Reading owns a 6-4 edge. In the last 20 years it's 11-9 Hornets. Going back 30 years the Pioneers lead 16-14.
The 10 game overall series advantage for Lynnfield really is a result of the early days of the rivalry. The Hornets won the first game which was played in late October of 1958. The Pioneers then reeled off the first seven games played on the holiday. The Pioneers would go on to win 15 of the first 20 games. But since then, it's been pretty much a dead heat.
The first game I covered was for the North Reading Transcript in 1976 a 6-0 Lynnfield win at the Middle School Field. My lasting memory of that game was the live Turkey that Hornet fans brought over. It was dyed yellow and green.
This will be my 39th Lynnfield/North Reading game, and it promises to be an exciting one.
Remember, the game time has been changed this year. Kick off has been moved up to 10 am so set your clocks accordingly.
Dress warm and enjoy the game.
Check back over the weekend for my Leftovers post.
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