BELCHERTOWN — Cameron Cass had to wait over a year to get back on the football field against Ludlow.
The senior running back led Belchertown to a 44-0 win over the Lions Friday night, scoring three times on 18 carries and racking up 133 yards rushing.
Cass was sidelined the entirety of last year due to a broken leg he suffered against Ludlow in the season opener. The unpredictable, wet conditions Friday night were exactly what Cass was hoping for in his return matchup with the Lions.
“I was praying for rain all day, and we got rain,” said Cass.
The steady rainfall dictated both teams’ approaches. Ludlow junior quarterback Justin DeBarge only attempted 10 passes in the game, most of them coming in the second half.
“Coming in we knew they could pass the ball,” said Cass, “but these are not the conditions you want to be throwing in.”
Cass was able to pick up hard yards on the ground right away.
After an 11-play, 51-yard drive to open the game, Belchertown scored its first touchdown on a 2-yard carry from Cass as he barreled over the goal line 6 minutes into the game.
The remainder of the first quarter was mostly back and forth, but Belchertown’s defense stepped up as the game progressed.
Junior defensive lineman Anthony Gordon had a big night for the Orioles, recording two sacks and two tackles for loss. His play on third and fourth down changed the tone of the game, often blowing through the line of scrimmage and making immediate impact with Ludlow running backs.
The second quarter started and Cass continued on his scoring spree.
With seven minutes remaining in the half, Cass scored on a counter untouched from 6 yards out. He scored again just six minutes later, bowing out wide on a sweep from the Ludlow 15-yard line before planting and trekking straight forward all the way through the back of the end zone.
Belchertown led 22-0 at halftime, converting on two of its three 2-point conversion attempts.
Ludlow came out throwing.
DeBarge, who attempted two passes in the first half, aired the ball out eight times in the second half.
Belchertown freshman defensive back Hunter Klingensmith took advantage of the slippery conditions.
Klingensmith was floating in coverage and jumped in front of a Ludlow receiver for a 30-yard interception return to open scoring in the second half.
The Orioles wanted to grind it out for the remainder of the game.
Senior quarterback Jackson Leduc picked up 104 yards on the ground in the second half. He finished with 170 yards and one touchdown on 12 carries.
Belchertown coach Chris Bourget was excited to get a win at home, especially against an Intercounty South rival like Ludlow (0-4, 0-1), and is looking forward to continuing to improve from last season.
“We’re hungry. This year we’re back and we’re healthy,” said Bourget. “It’s special for our seniors. A lot of these guys have been starting since freshman year. As juniors, a lot of them missed their whole season. We had high expectations last year and the wheels kind of fell off.”
The Orioles (2-2, 1-0) have a bye next week, but will host Easthampton at 7 p.m. on Oct. 14.