The seeds are in for the Western Massachusetts football tournaments.
Hampshire Country has four teams vying for a championship starting this Friday.
In Division 3, second-seeded Northampton will host No. 3 Longmeadow Friday.
“That’s what we were anticipating,” Northampton coach Pat Sledzieski said. “They have gotten better each week.”
The Blue Devils (6-2) beat Longmeadow (4-3) for the first time since 1996 earlier this season, 36-14.
Elijah Davis’ remarkable season running the ball will need to continue against Longmeadow. For the first time all year, Davis was shut down against West Springfield Friday.
Since the loss to Northampton, Longmeadow has wins over Agawam and sectional-power Central.
“They have a huge size advantage,” Sledzieski said. “They are pretty straight forward. They’ve thrown maybe three passes since our first game.”
Joey Cosenzi and Clay Moseman lead Longmeadow’s backfield behind its sizable offensive line.
Also in Division 3, No. 4 Easthampton will play top-seeded Taconic (6-1) in Pittsfield.
“We were pleased especially after the way the season started,” Easthampton coach Matt Bean said.
The Eagles (4-4) started the season 0-4. Quarterback Max Weir, Camden Kelly, David Helems have emerged as playmakers, but the improved play of the offensive line led to the winning streak.
“We have a lot of youth on the offensive line,” Bean said. “Those kids are up to speed now. We had to win and have other things happen but things fell into place for us.”
The trip to Wahconah Park to play Taconic is a formidable one, but the Eagles are ready.
“They are a very good team,” Bean said. “They are senior heavy and mature. We just have to go there and play. We’ve played good teams, we’re not intimidated.”
Frontier Regional (5-2) made the Division 4 field as the No. 4 seed and will travel to the Berkshire County to play quarterback Will Genaway and No. 1 Wahconah (7-1).
“I guess it’s a good honor,” Frontier coach Don Gordon said with trepidation. “We worked hard all year toward that goal.”
The reason for the trepidation is the Red Hawks are banged up. Fullback Seth Gewanter and running back Stevie Worthley were both hurt during Friday’s loss to Turners Falls. There’s a question of whether either will be available Friday.
That will leave the focus on Aaron Landry, who is averaging 166 yards a game this season for the Red Hawks.
Wahconah, with Genaway under center, has one of the most balanced offenses in western Mass.
“We’ll try some things we haven’t done this year in coverage to slow them down,” Gordon said. “When we get the ball we will run and do our ball control thing.”
Also in Division 4, No. 2 South Hadley (5-3) will play No. 3 Palmer (7-1) at home.
“This is where we deserve to be,” Taylor said. “We have done enough to be the second seed.”
South Hadley has reached the postseason for the 11th time in 12 seasons.
“We have a good foundation here,” Taylor said. “The kids know what to expect when they become a part of our program. ”
The Tigers’ backfield of Teddy Doyle, Jason Fernandes and Sean O’Grady has been productive all year.
Palmer has a dynamic quarterback in Ryan McCarthy, who is a threat through the air but also on the ground.
“He’s a very good football player. They execute well. Everything runs through him. He’s the best athlete on their team,” Taylor said.
The Tigers are excited to have a playoff game on their own field, which has a new artificial surface.
“We play better at home,” Taylor said. “Our players like the confines of the new field.”
Palmer opened with seven straight wins before falling at Ware 26-6 on Friday. The Panthers were held scoreless until the fourth quarter.
