ORANGE — The Amherst Regional football team used a big-play offense and stingy defense to defeat Mahar Regional, 36-18, in an independent contest at a cold and frosty Woodward Complex Friday night.
It was the third straight win for the Hurricanes (3-3), who were in control from the start.
Amherst started the game on defense and forced a quick three-and-out for the Senators, driving Mahar backwards after an incompletion and two runs for a total of minus-6 yards.
Amherst wasted no time on offense. Four-yard runs by Alex Fernandes and Will Budington set up a third-and-2 from the Mahar 47. Quarterback Miles Foerster dropped back to pass and with his receivers covered and the Mahar defense pursuing, Foerster tucked the ball and rambled 47 yards for a touchdown.
Fernandes barreled into the end zone for the 2-point conversion as the Hurricanes led 8-0 with 7:37 remaining in the first quarter.
Mahar responded, marching 66 yards in eight rushing plays. Lucas Seney capped the drive with a 3-yard blast over the goal line to cut the Hurricanes’ lead to 8-6.
The Hurricanes got the ball back at their own 20 and after runs of 21 and 22 yards by Foerster and Fernandes, respectively, a 15-yard call for a late hit put Amherst on the Mahar 22.
Mahar took down Fernandes in the backfield for an 8-yard loss setting up a second-and-18 from the 30, but Foerster dropped back and found a streaking Marcus Suom for a 30-yard score and a 14-6 lead.
Mahar pulled within 14-12, but Amherst struck again via the big play. With just over a minute remaining in the half, Foerster handed the ball to Budington, who took it 43 yards for a 22-12 lead at the half.
Amherst opened the third with a 62-yard, eight-play drive as Foerster found the goal line on a 3-yard blast up the gut.
Mahar (1-5) cut the lead to 28-18 with five minutes to go, but Fernandes broke through the middle and took it 49 yards to seal the win.