NORTHAMPTON — A quarterback change could not ignite a cold offense for the Northampton football team Friday night.
Down by 14 points in the first quarter, wide receiver Andy Grygorcewicz replaced sophomore Tom Jacques for the Blue Devils.
It didn’t matter, as the Blue Devils committed five turnovers and lost to Minnechaug 34-0.
“Grygo is a great leader,” Northampton coach Eddie Jewel said. “At times with a young team you need a good leader.”
Grygorcewicz’s first drive was a positive one, completing a 37-yard pass to Jake Brittain.
An interception by Ryan Marquez near the goal line ended the drive. It was Northampton’s closest opportunity in Minnechaug territory.
Jewel did not commit to naming a future starter.
“We will take it week by week,” Jewel said.
Before the game, Northampton lineman Nicolas Sandoval led a moment of silence for the people of Puerto Rico, who are dealing with the devastation of Hurricane Maria.
“I am really proud to be Latino,” Sandoval said. “My family went missing for a week and a half. There was radio silence. We couldn’t reach them or find them for days.”
Sandoval lives with his immediate family, but has aunts and uncles live in Puerto Rico. One of Sandoval’s aunts found a working phone to alert the family they were indeed OK.
“That’s the only reason I know they are alive. One phone,” Sandoval said.
Sandoval stood with Eimylette Ortiz-Viera, Diego Corrada-Mattei and Anthony DeJesus to speak in front of the crowd.
“I just felt obligated,” Sandoval said.
Henry Doherty had two interceptions for the Blue Devils (2-2, 0-1 Suburban East), who struggled with Minnechaug’s hurry-up spread offense.
Running back Jamel Smith rushed for 127 yards for Minnechaug. Smith blended speed and power on the way to scoring three rushing touchdowns.
Quarterback Anthony Izzo’s quick throws to the outside coupled with designed screens led a 13-for-20 night for 146 yards.
