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Flannigan leads Amesbury past Lynnfield

Monday, October, 27 By Dan Guttenplan
Sports editor

AMESBURY —The Amesbury football team appeared doomed last evening at halftime of a Cape Ann League Small matchup with bottom-feeder Lynnfield.

Not only did the Indians trail 12-0, but quarterback/safety Jared Flannigan’s second-half return appeared questionable after he missed all but nine seconds of the closing 9:21 of the first half due to a head injury.

Flannigan returned and was the difference in the second half as his 64-yard touchdown run gave Amesbury a 13-12 lead with 4:47 remaining in the fourth quarter. Lynnfield (1-7) failed to score on its final two possessions, effectively making Flannigan’s touchdown run the game-winning score in a 13-12 victory.

Flannigan’s injury occurred with his team trailing 6-0 early in the second quarter when he scrambled from his own 23-yard-line. After a 12-yard pick-up, he was met by Lynnfield safety Ben Salisbury, who caught the quarterback off balance and delivered a helmet-to-helmet blow.

“I got knocked out and was kind of woozy,” Flannigan said. “But I knew I was fine right away. I told coach (Thom) Connors I wanted to stay in for the next play. But he did the right thing and made sure I wasn’t going to put myself in a situation to get seriously hurt.”

Flannigan (8 carries, 89 yards) received treatment from the Amesbury medical staff following the hit and was quickly cleared to return to the game. Connors refused Flannigan’s pleas to return for a full offensive and defensive series.
“When he was laying on the field, I could tell he was fine,” Connors said. “He told me he needed a minute, and then he’d be ready to go back in. The medical staff checked his eyes, and he didn’t have dilated pupils. I probably could’ve put him in earlier, but he’s such a great kid, I’d hate to see something happen.”

Amesbury junior Patrick Foley replaced Flannigan at quarterback for one offensive series, which included three penalties and netted three yards. Lynnfield scored a touchdown on its lone offensive possession with Flannigan on the sideline, traveling 82 yards in 4:29. Lynnfield quarterback Gino Cohee (19 of 26 passing, 152 yards, interception) capped the drive with a one-yard touchdown run.

Amesbury responded to a 12-0 halftime deficit by scoring a touchdown on its opening drive of the second half. Tailback Kevin Johnston had four carries for 54 yards on the drive including a 1-yard touchdown run with 7:32 remaining in the third quarter.

“We knew we had to play much better in the second half,” Flannigan said. “We talked about cutting down the mistakes and playing our game.”

The fourth quarter was marred with turnovers and penalties with the exception of Flannigan’s touchdown run. Amesbury linebacker Steve Serwon had a key interception on a Cohee screen pass with 6:40 remaining in the game and his team trailing 12-7. On the next play from scrimmage, Flannigan went the distance from the Amesbury 36.

“I was tired of playing from behind,” Flannigan said. “I wanted us to take the lead and keep it.”