NORTHAMPTON — There was a glimpse of what the future might offer for the Northampton football team Friday night: A diverse offense with a steady mix of run and throw from the spread offense.
The return of Devontay Edmonds (10 carries, 64 yards) allowed the Blue Devils to move the ball more effectively, but red zone ineffectiveness and four turnovers led to a 36-7 loss to East Longmeadow on senior night.
“It was good to have him,” Northampton coach Eddie Jewel said.
In the third quarter Edmonds appeared to hurt the same shoulder that kept him out since the season opener. He did not return.
“We haven’t been healthy all season,” said Jewel, whose team has lost five straight.
Playing at quarterback, Andy Grygorcewicz (nine carries, 84 yards) led a Northampton 85-yard scoring drive in the fourth quarter.
Grygorcewicz had 60 yards rushing on the drive and capped it off with a 1-yard keeper.
It was Northampton’s first points since its game against Longmeadow on Sept. 22.
In the second quarter, Grygorcewicz found room and turned on the speed for a 70-yard kickoff return.
Northampton (2-5, 0-4 Suburban South) fumbled on the next play. The Blue Devils threw two interceptions and fumbled twice.
Quarterback Tom Jacques had a 34-yard completion to Grygorcewicz in the first quarter.
With the losses mounting and frustration setting in, multiple personal fouls on the Blue Devils led to the ejections of Natnael Walton and Henry Doherty.
“Emotions were high tonight,” Jewel said. “We play for each other and got carried away. Got caught up with senior night.”
Northampton’s defense allowed three 100-yard rushers for the Spartans.
Elijah Johnson had 10 carries for 106 yards, including two scores of 30 and 29 yards for East Longmeadow.
Aiden Ward got the most carries for the Spartans (5-2, 2-2) with 19 rushes for 149 yards. Ward had a 4-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
Hunter Mazza 115 yards on nine carries for East Longmeadow.
E. Longmeadow 36, Northampton 7
|
East Longmeadow |
7 |
16 |
7 |
6 |
—36 |
|
Northampton |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
—7 |
First quarter
EL—Hunter Mazza 58-yard rush (Patrick Malmborg kick) 11:03
Second quarter
EL—Elijah Johnson 30 rush (Malmborg kick) 9:36
EL—Safety 4:46
EL—Mazza 2 rush (Malmborg kick) :43
Third quarter
EL—Aiden Ward 4 rush (Malmbork kick) 4:22
Fourth quarter
N—Andy Grygorcewicz 1 rush (Natnael Walton kick)
EL—Johnson 29 rush (kick blocked), 4:49
—
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING—East Longmeadow:Johnson 10-106; Mazza 9-115; Ward 19-149; Jack Davitt 1-5; Gaetano Mancuso 1-minus 2; Cam Ottoman 1-8; Northampton: Jake Brittain 1-1; Braeden Tudryn 3-9; Devontay Edmonds 10-64; Grygorcewicz 9-84.
PASSING—East Longmeadow: Ottoman 2-5-22; Northampton: Tom Jacques 4-13-43-2; Grygorcewicz 3-3-33.
RECEIVING—East Longmeadow: Ward 1-7; Johnson 1-15; Northampton: Grygorcewicz 1-34; Tudryn 1-0; Brittain 4-36; Anthony DeJesus 1-8.
