AMHERST — The Amherst Regional football team battled back in the second half Friday night to pull off a come-from-behind 16-14 win over Intercounty South rival Belchertown.
The Hurricanes (4-4, 3-1 Intercounty South) could not execute on offense in the first half and did not convert a first down as they trailed 14-0 to the Orioles (3-4, 2-2) at the break.
On defense, they allowed 108 yards rushing and two touchdowns to Belchertown.
“We thought as a defense we can hold them,” said Amherst coach Chris Ehorn Jr. of his team’s halftime mentality. “We had a few things go our way in the second half and we capitalized.”
An injury to Belchertown starting quarterback Jackson Leduc took him out of the game early in the third quarter and the Hurricanes grabbed momentum.
“We had a good game plan, players listened in practice and we executed,” said Belchertown coach Chris Bourget. “We come out for the second half, get the onside, we are driving, and our best player breaks his leg. You lose your best player on offense, quarterback, running back, he does it all.”
Amherst then went 94 yards as Hurricanes junior quarterback Miles Foerster finished off the drive when he rolled to his right and found senior Daniel Lyra in the end zone for a 7-yard touchdown pass. After an Alex Fernandes 2-point conversion, Amherst trailed 14-8.
The Orioles offense went three-and-out and following a punt the Hurricanes took over on their own 29-yard line with just over seven minutes remaining in regulation.
Foerster started the drive by fighting his way out of an imminent sack. With four Orioles defenders trying to bring him down, Foerster found his check down receiver Fernandes for a 25-yard gain.
The Hurricanes continued the drive and with 1:17 remaining, senior running back Will Budington found the corner of the end zone on a 3-yard touchdown rush to tie the game at 14.
On the 2-point conversion, Foerster rolled out to his left and found Budington in the corner of the end zone. Budington tapped his feet inbounds to put the Hurricanes up 16-14.
“I knew I was getting the ball from the left. The scoreboard said three to go and I said I should be able to get three (yards) whenever I want, I’m not taking no for an answer,” said Budington. “I’m a skinny dude so it helps to squeeze in right over the pile right in that corner. The (offensive line) gave me just enough.”
The Hurricanes’ defense sealed the win when Lyra intercepted a pass by Belchertown quarterback John Flink with 25 seconds remaining.
“We did everything we could to position ourselves to win this game,” said Bourget. “When you have 20 something players and you lose one of your best players that can do everything it impacts you.”
The win gives the Hurricanes its most since the team won six in 2012.
“League title or not we came out and did something different this year,” said Budington. “We changed the culture of Amherst football.”