PITTSFIELD — In cold, rainy conditions, South Hadley could not slow Taconic’s offense, as the Braves rode a big first quarter to a 50-30 win over the Tigers on Saturday.
Taconic (6-1, 4-0 Suburban North) leaned on its defense and running game to remain undefeated in the league. Zach Gage and Jake Galliher combined for 157 yards rushing and three scores. The Braves secondary had three interceptions as well, icing any chance the Tigers had at generating momentum on offense.
Taconic coach Jim Ziter said his team’s preparation during the week helped it hold South Hadley (4-3, 2-2) to just 187 yards of total offense.
“We game planned all week on the keys we saw watching film,” he said. “We keyed their guards and our defense did a good job. Learning all week, preparing themselves mentally, we just repped all week what their offense did.”
The Braves started quickly, scoring touchdowns on their first two drives. The Tigers needed to respond, facing fourth-and-12 on the Taconic 46. Quarterback Ryan Moody dropped back and Taconic’s Jake McNeice intercepted the ball, taking it back 58 yards for the score. The score put Taconic up 23-8 with 1 minute, 30 seconds left in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Cedric Rose added a 5-yard touchdown with 2:52 remaining. Devon Walker got Taconic’s second interception on the ensuing drive. Four plays later, McNeice found Walker in the end zone for a 20-yard touchdown pass. The Braves led 37-8 at the half.
South Hadley tried to generate some positivity, as Jack Dawson returned the opening kick of the third quarter 90 yards for a touchdown, shrinking Taconic’s lead to 21. But, the Braves responded with a highlight-reel run from Gage on the first play of their next drive. Gage took the handoff at midfield heading left, cut back up the middle, broke multiple tackles and went 50 yards for the score.
Sloppy play marred the rest of the game, as Taconic lost two fumbles. The latter was taken back for a long touchdown by Jarrett Sudyka, but the game was never in doubt.
Competing in the freezing, muddy game, at times the contest looked similar to the messy tackle games players enjoy as children. But even as players rolled around in the mud, Galliher said they were prepared for the muddy conditions.
“I’ve always loved playing in the rain and we practiced all week with wet balls and making cuts on the wet (field). We were prepared for it to be wet,” he said. “My line was making great blocks. … I didn’t have to make many quick cuts.”
The win gives Taconic at least a share of the Suburban North title. The Braves have a chance to win it outright with a win over Pittsfield next week.
Galliher added that Pittsfield has a winning record over Taconic, so clinching a league title over a city rival would be “special.”
South Hadley wraps up it regular season against Chicopee.