The visiting Pioneers (2-0) picked up their second win of the season against Cape Ann League opposition with a 34-12 thrashing of Newburyport on Friday.
The defense gave Lynnfield early momentum with an interception on the third play of the game. All told, the Pioneers picked off four passes with Alex Baldini leading the way with two picks, while Ian McCarthy and Spencer D’Augusta had one each.
Lynnfield took full advantage of the turnover, marching its way downfield before quarterback Tyler Adamo scored from 1 yard out on a quarterback keeper for an early 6-0 lead.
Adamo wasn’t done scoring. On the second play of the second quarter, he showed off his speed and elusiveness, dodging Clipper defenders to score a 31-yard touchdown and lead 13-6.
Not only was Adamo a threat on the ground, but the quarterback showed off his arm, throwing a 53-yard pass to Joey Cucciniello (2 catches, 93 yards) for Lynnfield’s third touchdown (20-6).
One of the best one-two punches in the CAL, Adamo once again found Cucciniello, this time on a screen, and Cucciniello did the rest of the work, sprinting past defenders for a 40-yard score (27-6). Adamo completed 14 of 18 passes for 169 yards while the Pioneer defense held the Clippers to just 54 receiving yards. The game was very clean with no Pioneer turnovers and only one 5-yard penalty.
Adamo spread the wealth around to six receivers. Niccolo Antidormi caught two passes for 23 yards and Zahiri Mitchell caught five passes for 22. Ethan Francis (3 catches, 11 yards), Arthur Chiardonna (1 catch, 17 yards) and Jesse Dorman (1 catch, 3 yards) also contributed.
The Pioneers’ final points came from the defense, as Spencer D’Augusta intercepted Newburyport’s quarterback and returned it 40 yards to the house.
Antidormi had a team-high 55 rushing yards on 14 carries. Adamo rushed for two touchdowns, picking up 35 yards on two carries. Also contributing to the run attack were Zahiri Mitchell (8 yards), Nick Kelter (4 yards) and Arthur Chiardonna (3 yards).
Lynnfield hosts Essex Tech at 6:30 p.m. on Friday.
