“In my opinion, [Newburyport] was the team to beat,’’ said Lynnfield coach Neil Weidman. “Our kids went out and played the best game they’ve played all year.’’

Lynnfield needs to win two of its final three games to advance to the Division 3A playoffs. The Pioneers have Ipswich (0-8 overall, 0-4 league), Hamilton-Wenham (2-5, 2-1) and North Reading (1-7, 1-2) remaining.

Lynnfield (7-1, 3-0) rode the legs of Gino Cohee and the arm of Chris Grassi to victory and was able to hold off a late Clipper comeback.

Grassi had 53 yards passing and two touchdowns on two pass attempts while Cohee rushed for 71 yards, passed for 58 and scored three touchdowns.

The Pioneers held a 14-0 lead at the half, but Weidman wasn’t that comfortable with the lead.

“[Newburyport] can score twice quickly,’’ said Weidman. “All it takes is one breakdown from us for them to get back in it.’’

On the first drive on the second half, Grassi erased any fears that Weidman had. With the Pioneers facing a fourth and 14 at the Newburyport 29, Cohee, the starting quarterback, split out wide and Grassi took his place under center. The senior proceeded to toss a 29-yard dart to Cohee for the touchdown.

“Grassi is a gamer,’’ said Weidman. “His pass was right on the money and was a good spiral.’’

On the next Clipper drive, quarterback Ryan O’Connor was intercepted by AJ Roberto, who returned the ball to the Newburyport 19-yard line.

After a sack on third down left the ball at the 24, the Pioneers again faced a fourth and 14. And again, it was Grassi who provided the sparks. He fired a pass to Michael Pescione in the end zone where Pescione used his 6-4 frame to leap over a defender and make the catch, giving Lynnfield a 27-0 lead.

“What Grassi did today, it won the game for us,’’ said Weidman.

The Pioneer defense was another reason. Entering the contest, Weidman’s biggest concern was stopping talented running back Kyle LeBlanc.

“He has tons of speed,’’ said Weidman. “We had to do something to stop him.’’

Lynnfield was able to control LeBlanc, limiting him to 18 yards rushing and 33 receiving.

Newburyport attempted a comeback, scoring twice in the fourth quarter. The first drive almost stalled before it got going. After three plays, the Clippers faced a fourth and 3 at the Lynnfield 31-yard line. O’Connor was able to find Matt Mottola for a 13-yard gain on the play to the Pioneer 18-yard line. A play later, O’Connor hit LeBlanc on an out route. LeBlanc spun out of a tackle and scooted into the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown.

The Clippers also scored on their next drive when O’Connor hit John Isabel for a 3-yard touchdown.

The Clippers attempted onside kicks after both touchdowns. Each time Lynnfield recovered, with the second attempt effectively ending the game.

Lynnfield opened the scoring on the first drive of the game. The Pioneers rumbled 74 yards on nine plays, culminating in a Cohee 5-yard touchdown rush.

The Pioneers added to the lead with just over a minute remaining in the half. Cohee pushed his way into the end zone from 4 yards out, this time to give the Pioneers the 14-0 advantage.