AMHERST — The Amherst Regional football team is off to its best start to a season since 2012.
After back-to-back wins over Monument Mountain and Ludlow, the Hurricanes (2-3, 2-0 Intercounty South) feel more confident than ever, especially in league play.
Of the improvements the team has made under new coach Chris Ehorn Jr. and his staff, the offensive line has been the most notable. Much of the credit for their success has gone to offensive line coach Mike Thompson.
“He is the reason for the turnaround from last year to this year,” said Ehorn.
Thompson, who is in his third season with the Hurricanes, gave all of the credit to his players.
“They are a year older, a year more experienced and they’re just getting better,” said Thompson. “They found it in themselves to work hard, get better at football, come off the ball, and it’s working for them for sure.”
Amherst is led in the trenches by senior center Keenan Morrissey. For Morrissey, who is in his first season at center, he has never felt so assured in his team than he has this season.
“The offensive line has been improving all year. Hopefully we can continue to improve, protect our quarterback, protect our running backs and just give us that push that we need on offense,” Morrissey said.
According to Thompson, Morrissey has been leading the team as one of the most consistent players for the offensive line.
“I can’t say enough good things about Keenan Morrissey,” Thompson said. “Coming in and playing center, he’s really just kind of owned that position, and he’s been a leader for us all season long.”
Morrissey is complimented by talented and experienced players. On the line are fellow seniors Nick Rivera and Chris Maldonado, and juniors Kaleb Ferro, Tyrone Loper, Brendon Ewell, Savi King and Leo Kahan.
The Hurricanes had only 17 practices before the season opener against Wahconah. Since then, they have improved every week and have found their stride, winning their last two games over Monument Mountain and Ludlow by a combined score of 52-25.
Senior running back Will Budington knows most of those points do not come without the offensive line holding its own.
“My name shows up in the box score, but it doesn’t show up without them,” said Budington. “They make the plays happen, they open up the holes, if a guy forgets to pull, doesn’t make a pull or doesn’t block the end, that play doesn’t happen, so I owe it to the big guys, it’s all the big guys.”
Thompson said that since Ehorn’s offense is a similar scheme to the one the Hurricanes have been running in past seasons, it has been an easy transition into the new playbook.
“I’m just really proud of the way that our line has played and really everybody on the team has played. It’s been a pretty good year so far, and I’d like to see it keep getting better,” said Thompson.
Amherst takes the field on Friday when it faces off against Mahar Regional at 7 p.m. in Orange.
“If you’re asking for a season goal, being a better team at the end of the season than we were at the beginning of the season,” Thompson said. “I think we’ve shown that improvement, I think we’re going to continue to show that improvement, and by the end of the year I think we’re going to be a force to be reckoned with.”