NORTHMAPTON — There is a completely new dynamic for opponents to worry about when it comes to the Northampton football team’s offense — the arm of quarterback Ryan Bredin and the downfield receiving capability of Andy Grygorcewicz. Yes, the Blue Devils came out throwing.
In their 50-6 win over Minnechaug to start the 2016 season at David Wright Field, Northampton built an early lead with a different approach than the familiar running game.
Bredin completed passes of 35 and 40 yards to Grygorcewicz on Hamp’s first two drives.
Bredin lofted a ball into single coverage on a key third down on Hamp’s first drive, giving Grygorcewicz the chance to catch the ball at its highest point.
Against Minnechaug’s Jamel Smith, a smaller cornerback, Grygorcewicz came down with the ball.
“Teams still need to respect the run,” Bredin said. “But passing is an option. It’s going to be good.”
Patrolling the secondary, Bredin intercepted Minnechaug’s Colt Modestow three times. The first interception helped quell some Falcon momentum in the first quarter.
“We were just prepared,” Bredin said. “We knew he (Modestow) had a good arm and they pass a lot. We took advantage of our preparation.”
It was 16-6 with Minnechaug driving when Bredin made his first interception.
The Northampton running game, with some Falcon defenders off the line respecting the pass, took advantage and found multiple holes.
Elijah Davis ran for 119 yards on 10 carries with four touchdowns. Nik Smith had nine carries for 88 yards and a 15-yard score.
“With Elijah and Nik in the backfield we can take advantage downfield,” Northampton coach Pat Sledzieski said. “You leave man coverage on Andrew (Grygorcewicz) he can burn you. For people to see that, it’s really special.”
Davis had touchdown runs of 24, 15, 31 and 13 yards.
Hamp hosts Longmeadow Friday at 7 p.m.
“This will battle test us,” Sledzieski said.
Bredin added two rushing touchdowns including a 5-yard run in the second quarter to give the Blue Devils a 32-6 lead at halftime. He finished 5-for-11 passing with 147 yards.
The Hamp defense gave up 18 completions to Modestow, but defenders were there to make tackles.
Bryan DeJesus made five tackles, while Grygorewicz finished with six. Northampton did not have a turnover in the game.
Grygorcewicz had four catches for 118 yards. Syrus Carey carried the ball 12 times for 46 yards.
Backup running back Gavin Bullock gave the Northampton crowd a thrill with a 77-yard rush in the fourth quarter.
With the lead, the Blue Devils went to the run game in the second half and knelt on two possessions in the fourth quarter to keep the clock running.
Northampton 50, Minnechaug 6
|
Minnechaug |
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
—6 |
|
Northampton |
16 |
16 |
12 |
6 |
—50 |
First quarter
N-Ryan Bredin 2 rush (Bredin pass to Andy Grygorcewicz)
N-Nik Smith 15 rush (Elijah Davis run) 4:32
M-Colt Modestow 3 pass to Nick Pagano (run failed) :50
Second quarter
N-Davis 24 rush (Davis pass to Andy Grygorcewicz) 5:51
N-Bredin 5 rush (Bredin pass to Grygorcewic) :58
Third quarter
N—Davis 15 rush (pass failed) 8:32
N—Davis 31 rush (run failed) 5:57
Fourth quarter
N—Davis 13 rush (run failed) 10:17
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING—Minnechaug–Colt Modestow 3-17; Jamel Smith 3-26; Max Macero 5-41, Nate Conway 1-7, Colter McComas 2-2, Ethan Moretti 1-1; Northampton–Smith 9-88-1, Beau Garbarini 3-24, Davis 10-119-4, Bredin 3-15-2, Syrus Carey 12-46, Devontay Edmonds 1-9.
PASSING—Modestow 18-24-139-1; Bredin 5-11-147.
RECEIVING—Minnechaug– Nick Pagano 4-25-1, Dan Sheehan 3-26, Macero 3-25, Smith 3-20, Dylan Hathaway 1-24, Brian Anderson 1-18. Northampton – Grygorcewicz 4-118, Davis 1-29.
