LYNNFIELD ? As the game came to an end and the off-season began for the Lynnfield High football team, it became apparent that there is a lot of potential for the program going forward.”It (the 21-0 win over North Reading) is definitely something to build on,” head coach Neil Weidman said. “It will definitely make for a better off season.”The team featured only six seniors: Ben Salisbury, Charlie Garlow, Ryan Perkins, Chris Klove, John Caruso and Brian Paine. However, as the season went on the team started to become more competitive, even in losing efforts.”I think the team really matured a lot (as the season went on),” said Weidman.One key factor in the team’s improvement was the play of sophomore quarterback Gino Cohee. Cohee took over as quarterback in the eighth week of the season and the following four weeks turned out to be the best football Lynnfield played all season.”We’re obviously doing better (since making the switch),” Weidman said.. “We’re doing particularly better running the ball.”The move allowed for junior Chris Grassi to move from quarterback to wide receiver where he flourished. Lynnfield went 2-2 after making the move. It also defeated Ipswich 13-7.There was even reason to be encouraged in the two losses with the Pioneers putting together a pair of strong performances against teams that were dominant in the Cape Ann League. While the Pioneers lost the game 13-12, Amesbury was one of the top three teams in the Cape Ann League this season. It actually played Newburyport with an outside shot at winning the division and jumping into the post season.Lynnfield lost to Manchester 35-21 the week before Thanksgiving. It was an offensive showcase for Cohee and company, as it marked the first day in over two decades that a Lynnfield team was able to gain over 400 yards.”I think our defense played real well against Manchester,” Weidman said. “We gave up 35 points, but we played as well as a team possibly can while giving up that many points.”The offensive line gives coach Weidman another reason to be optimistic going forward. Only one starter, Klove, will graduate. The other starters, Greg Banos, Doug Ullian, Eric Inglese and John Leydon, are all juniors and will return next season. The group showed marked improvement all season long, which culminated in back-to-back weeks in which the team was able to gain over 400 yards and then win a game of field position on Turkey Day.The Pioneers even had a freshman step up in the Thanksgiving game. Tight end Freddy Shove caught a 30-yard pass to help set up the third touchdown.While the Pioneers off season is only in its infancy, it is never too early to look at progress and see a team that has the making of an impressive 2009 campaign.”As excited as I am for the seniors,” said Weidman, “I am excited for the younger guys. We really have something to build on.”