Lynnfield’s football team celebrated its season with a team awards banquet Dec. 11 at the Danversport Yacht Club.
The Pioneers’ season-long theme was “The Together ’24 Season.” The team finished 9-2, won a second straight Cape Ann League Baker Division championship, and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Division 6 state tournament, only to lose a 36-34 overtime thriller to Fairhaven. The team rebounded with a 43-36 Thanksgiving Day win over North Reading.
Lamusta said the season was memorable for many reasons.
“The players, the vibes, the wins, the community coming together. It truly was an experience we will all look back on and be proud of,” Lamusta said. “You know, this night is a celebration for the whole program, but much of the program is devoted to the seniors. This is a group that is very human, fun, funny, sarcastic, gritty, sometimes rude, sometimes too much, energetic, passionate, physical, emotional, and, all around, kind of crazy. But, wow, what a group to put on the field. “
Senior captain Tyler Adamo received the Most Valuable Player award. He shattered several school records, including career passing yards (5,223), career touchdown passes (69), and single-season touchdown passes (33).
“He’s a guy who truly understood the pulse of the team. No moment was too big,” Lamusta said. “I appreciated the strictly-business mentality he brought. His humble demeanor is truly great for our young guys to see what it means to be a true student-athlete.”
Senior captain Jared Bernabei received the Defensive Player of the Year and GUTSO Award. Lamusta said the GUTSO award is reserved for the player who accumulates the highest number of points awarded for defensive statistics. Bernabei set a single-season record for most tackles (119) and single-game record for tackles (23 against Fairhaven). He also scored 15 touchdowns.
Lamusta said Bernabei was “the keystone to our defense.
“His teammates looked to him when things were tough and he kept on coming,” Lamusta said. “His popularity was so key that my hope was he would buy into everything we did and that was the greatest gift he gave to our program.”
Senior captain Walter Radulski received the Lineman of the Year award. Offensive Player of the Year awards went to senior captain Jesse Dorman and Madux Iovinelli. Iovinelli set a school record for single-season receiving yards, while Dorman tied the school record for touchdown receptions. Senior Ethan Miranda received the Scout Team Player of the Year Award.
“He came from a different school every day, but was always ready to grind for this team,” Lamusta said. “He wasn’t the biggest guy, so he was often in difficult matchups at practice but he never wavered.”
Senior lineman Jack Kouyoumdjian received The Brotherhood Award.
“This is a guy who has really done a little bit of everything playing for us be it linebacker, line, running back, and different special teams positions,” Lamusta said. “He had trouble over the years battling injuries, but he just kept at it, sticking with the team and sticking with his brothers.”
Spencer D’Augusta and Chris Duprey received the Courage Award and Alex Fleming and Maximus Nastari received the Commitment Award. The 12th Man Award went to Andrew Lombardi. George Lambros received the Unsung Hero Award. Lamusta said the award is reserved for “someone who is under the radar, but critical to our success as a team.”
Lamusta noted that Lambros played at least seven positions on both sides of the ball.
“He was Mr. Fix-it for the defense. I loved his demeanor and coachability,” Lamusta said. “He was a key special teamer and will be remembered as one of the more versatile players we have had here at Lynnfield.”
Oliver Ventolieri and Nick Lozada received Coaches Awards. Senior captain Iain McCarthy received the Next Level Award, while Brian DiGangi, Michael Murphy and Massimo LoGrasso received Special Teams Player of the Year awards.
McCarthy also received the Leadership Council Award for his leadership, organizational skills and, overall, for putting “his heart and soul” into the team and being “always ready to take on anything for this team, whether it involved the pigskin or not,” according to Lamusta.
Game balls were awarded to the following players: McCarthy (Wakefield, 9 tackles), Lambros (Ipswich, sack, 6 tackles), Fleming (Amesbury (9 tackles), Triton (Iovinelli, 5 receptions, 7 tackles, blocked punt), Dorman (Newburyport, 158 yards, 2 TDs), Radulski (Manchester-Essex, 4 tackles, 3 tackles for losses, 3 hurries), LoGrasso (Hamilton-Wenham, 8 PATs, 34-yard FG), Adamo (Dennis-Yarmouth, 16-for-19, 306 yards, 6 TD passes, 163.9 QBR), and Bernabei (North Reading, 161 yards, 4 rushing TDs, 9 tackles).
The Cape Ann League Baker Division All-Stars were announced. Dorman (wide receiver, defensive back/returns) was named to the All-League team and also received the Special Teams Player of the Year award. Iovinelli (wide receiver) received the Offensive Player of the Year award. Bernabei (linebacker) received the Defensive Player of the Year award and Adamo (quarterback) received the Player of the Year award. Radulski (offensive lineman) received All-Star honors. LoGrasso (kicker), McCarthy (linebacker) and Lambros (defensive back) received honorable mention honors.
Finally, in the most anticipated moment of the evening, the captains of 2025 were announced. They are Luke DiSilvio, Matt Tracy, Ben Gazit, and Dan Lemieux.
