The Northampton football team starting its season by blowing out Minnechaug, beating Longmeadow for the first time in 20 years and gutting out a close road win over South Hadley, but it received some bad news along the way.
The passing game that had caught opponents off guard took a hit this past week when top target Andy Grygorcewicz was ruled out for the season with a spiral fracture in his right forearm.
“It sucks because of how good it was going,” Grygorcewicz said. “Now it’s stopped.”
The injury occurred when Grygorcewicz, who played cornerback on defense, tackled South Hadley quarterback Ryan Mooney in the first quarter of last week’s game.
“I think he kicked me,” Grygorcewicz said. “Not on purpose.”
Grygorcewicz stayed in the game and made a pivotal diving catch late to set up Hamp’s go-ahead touchdown in the 12-7 win.
A spiral fracture is considered more serious than a regular fracture, as the injury twists the bone apart.
Grygorcewicz is scheduled for surgery Friday to put a metal plate in his arm.
The metal plate “is for quicker recovery,” Grygorcewiz said. “Six weeks of rehab and recovery.
“I plan to be ready for basketball,” Grygorcewicz added.
The loss of Grygorcewicz means Northampton will be without its 6-foot-4 receiver who demanded safety help, and its leading tackler on defense.
“We have some players with good hands and speed,” Northampton coach Pat Sledzieski said. “But you can’t duplicate 6-foot-4. Just having him out there demands attention.”
Wilfredo Guzman and Zac Brittain will move to wide receiver for the Blue Devils.
“It’s a huge loss for us on both sides of the ball,” Northampton quarterback Ryan Bredin said. “He’s a 6-foot-4 target at receiver on offense that gives the opposing defense nightmares. On defense he is one of the best defenders, tacklers and playmakers we have.”
Defensive end Will O’Connor could play some corner for the Blue Devils.
“He’s tall and athletic,” Sledzieski said. “We will look at Will at corner. There’s an outside chance (Grygorcewicz) could return for the playoffs, but we are preparing to not have him.”
Running back Nik Smith also got hurt against South Hadley. Smith separated his shoulder and will miss at least Friday’s 7 p.m. against East Longmeadow (0-3).
“Hopefully we will get him back for Putnam,” Sledzieski said. “In football you are going to lose guys. But it’s tough for us because we don’t have the numbers.”
Devontay Edmonds will see more time in Hamp’s backfield with Elijah Davis and fullback Syrus Carey.
“Our team has to have the next man up mentality and keep rolling,” Bredin said. “Our goal is a Western Mass. championship and this is a bump in the road on our way toward that goal. We have no choice but to keep playing.”
