NORTHAMPTON — The playmakers for the Smith Vocational football team were on full display on Saturday.
The Vikings’ offense had players running in open fields quite often against Pathfinder and the result was a 31-8 win on alumni weekend.
“That’s every coach’s dream,” Smith Voke coach Rob Burnett said. “To have playmakers. The guys that stuck around through the losing.”
Jake Erali had two rushing touchdowns and threw for another for the Vikings (2-2, 1-1 Tri County).
“This year is just different,” Erali said. “We have the heart to win. We are a different Vikings team. We are not the old Vikings.”
Erali ran the offense with precision, as the Vikings avoided the turnovers that plagued them in the past.
The game was never in doubt, as Smith Voke held a 25-0 lead at halftime.
“That’s what those kids are,” Burnett said. “It was just about pulling it out of them.”
Ethan Rivera took a toss on the game’s first play for 36- yards. Later in the game, Rivera (five carries, 107 yards) had a 65-yard carry.
Erali (10 carries, 69 yards) capped the 64-yard, nine-play first drive with a 3-yard touchdown run.
“They were able to execute,” Burnett said. “Everything we have been prepping for all week.”
Parker Affauser scooped up a muffed kickoff and returned it for Smith Voke’s second touchdown.
After another Erali rushing touchdown, the quarterback found Troy Benedict for a 6-yard TD to make it 25-0 late in the second quarter.
Dakota Blakesley found the edge and used speed to get another touchdown for the Vikings in the third quarter, making it 31-0.
On that drive, Benedict (four carries, 36 yards) had consecutive runs of 19 and 17 yards for the Vikings.
Jack O’Connell was effective running between the tackles for Smith Voke, powering his way on seven carries for 40 yards.
Blakesley added a sack on defense for Smith Voke, which took advantage of three turnovers by the Pioneers.
Pathfinder third-string quarterback Dante Anderson had eight carries for 46 yards, while running back Joe Roman carried 20 times for 99 yards, including a 6-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter,
Alumni weekend festivities included a bonfire and a pig roast for visiting alumni.
The Vikings also hoisted some banners in a ceremony before the game in the gymnasium.
“It shows if there is dedication and hard work individually and as a team we can raise banners at Smith Voke,” athletic director Jeff Lareau said.
One banner honored the Smith Voke softball team that won its first ever Tri-County League title.
Another honored Stephanie Start, who surpassed 1,000 points in her basketball career for the Vikings. Start is the first female in school history to reach the milestone.
The other two banners were for Western Mass. champion wrestlers Koby Ouimette (160 pounds) and Stone Mitchell (215).
Smith Voke 31, Pathfinder 8
|
Pathfinder |
0 |
0 |
0 |
8 |
—8 |
|
Smith Voke |
12 |
13 |
6 |
0 |
—31 |
First quarter
SV—Jake Erali 3 rush (run failed) 7:01
SV— Parker Affhauser fumble return (pass failed) 6:50
Second quarter
SV— Erali 6 rush (run failed), 6:10
SV— Erali 6 pass to Troy Benedict (kick good) 1:15
Third quarter
SV—Dakota Blakesley 24 rush (kick failed), 4:08
Fourth quarter
P—Joe Roman 5 rush (Dante Anderson run) :38
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING—Pathfinder: Andrew Jerome 2-10; Joe Roman 20-99; Anderson 8-46; Smith Voke: Ethan RIvera 5-107; Jack O’Connell 7-40; Benedict 4-36; Blakesley 2-39; Erali 10-69.
PASSING—Pathfinder: Anderson 1-6-19-0; Erali: 3-6-34-1
RECEIVING—Pathfinder: Dylan Pisloneri 1-16; Smith Voke: Affhauser 1-25; Nick Marcinowski 1-3; Benedict 1-6-1
