Nothing like a heated, testy rivalry game to start the high school football season.
The new-look Northampton Blue Devils travel across the bridge to play Amherst Regional Friday night at Community Field. The 74th edition of the ‘Battle of the Bridge’ starts at 7 p.m.
New Northampton coach Eddie Jewel has his team prepared.
“We are as ready as we will ever be,” Jewel said. “It’s the ‘Battle of the Bridge.’ We trust each other and we’ll sell out for one another.”
The Blue Devils, who lead the all-time series 40-30-3, will debut a new offensive scheme.
“Amherst is a big rivalry game,” Northampton senior receiver Andy Grygorcewicz said. “Coach is from Amherst and we all want to win. He did a great job teaching us the (new) offense.”
Starting Hamp quarterback Tom Jacques has looked good in the spread offense in the preseason, and during a scrimmage against Wilbraham & Monson.
For Amherst, second-year coach Chris Ehorn Jr. goes into the game without film on the Blue Devils.
“We don’t know what they are going to throw at us,” Ehorn said. “We are practicing multiple defenses so will be prepared.”
Ehorn said he determine what defense to use based on what looks he gets from Northampton early in the game.
Just like Northampton, the Hurricanes go into the game with a first-time starting quarterback in J.B. Mills.
“J.B. looks fantastic,” Ehorn said. “He manages the offense very well. He has lot of confidence and he understands the offense.”
When the schedule was announced, the Hurricanes saw the opponent and got to work during the preseason.
“We have been looking forward to it since they announced it,” Ehorn said. “We ran a tough camp. Everyone is looking crisp and you can’t ask for more.”
Power runner Alex Fernandez will figure to be a big part of Amherst’s attack.
