Smith Vocational drops opener to Drury, 44-8

NORTH ADAMS — Saturday’s matchup between Drury and Smith Vocational featured two football teams focused on one goal: growth.

Drury scored 30 unanswered points, winning its season-opener, 44-8.

In his second year as head coach, Al Marceau felt more comfortable coming into the game, having a full offseason to focus on his team.

“Last year I took over so late, I felt rushed,” Marceau said. “This year, us as coaches communicated throughout the winter and were able to carry that momentum from the end of last season when I thought we played pretty well.”

The first drive of the Blue Devils’ season featured a heavy dose of quarterback Obilio Rodriguez. He rushed for 30 yards and connected with senior Tim Kolic for a 12-yard touchdown.

For Smith, the offense started its drive on the shoulders of Eric Fleet and Ethan Rivera, combining for seven carries before being stopped, turning the ball over inside the Drury 10.

On their second drive, the Blue Devils leaned on their featured back, Frankie Cooper, to set the tone for the offense. Cooper ran five times for 45 yards, capping it with a four-yard touchdown and a two-point conversion, giving Drury a 14-0 lead early in the second.

Down two touchdowns, the Vikings started on their own 44-yard line and stalled, gaining only 1 yard in their first three plays. On fourth-and-8, first-year head coach Vinnie Guiel decided to leave his offense on the field.

Lined up wide was No. 85, Andrew Pierce.

Pierce, a junior, was suited up for the first football game of his career.

Guiel called the rookie’s number.

Quarterback Nick Marcinowski threw a prayer downfield and Pierce answered it. Pierce hauled in the pass and took it 55 yards for Smith’s first touchdown of the season. Pierce finished the game with 84 yards on two receptions.

“He is one of our go-to guys,” Guiel said. “Offensively, he is the best athlete on the field I think. As a first-year guy I am proud of him.”

Leet tacked on the 2-point conversion, cutting the Blue Devil lead to six with seven minutes on the clock.

It didn’t take long for Drury to regain some breathing room. Rodriguez marched the offense down the field before finding the end zone on a 13-yard keeper. While they were called for a false start on the 2-point try, it didn’t stop them. Rodriguez connected with Tim Brazeau to convert the 2-point attempt, giving Drury a 22-8 lead at the half.

“All week we were harping to them, we gotta take it to them on our home field,” Marceau said. “When we went out at halftime I told my guys I am happy with the first half, but I challenged my guys to beat (Smith) at their strength. I wanted to come out and run the ball between the tackles, and I am happy because the guys responded.”

After a strong stand by the Drury defense to start the second half, the offense started on the Smith 38-yard line, and did just that — pound the ball. The Blue Devils started the drive with five-straight runs, bringing the ball down to the Smith 13-yard line.

With three minutes left in the third quarter, Rodriguez found freshman Anthony Pettengill for a touchdown. Robert Monsees ran in the 2-point try, giving Drury a 36-8 lead.

In the final minute of the fourth quarter, eighth-grader David Delisle provided the icing on the cake for the Blue Devils, breaking off a 42-yard touchdown run and tacked on the conversion, extending the lead to 44-8.

For Smith, Week 2 is its home-opener on Sept. 14 against Northampton.

“We’re young, but offensively we moved the ball well,” Guiel said. “Our roster has a handful of first-year players. There are things to work on, but I am proud of my guys. We are going to get better.”

Drury 44, Smith Vocational 8

First Quarter

D — Kolic 11 pass from Rodriguez (run failed), 9:30

Second Quarter

D — Cooper 4 run (Cooper run), 9:28

S — Pierce 55 pass from Marcinowski (Leet run), 7:15

D — Rodriguez 13 run (Brazeau pass from Rodriguez), 3:37

Third Quarter

D — Pettengill 13 pass from Rodriguez (Monsees run), 3:13

Fourth Quarter

D — Delisle 42 run (Delisle run), :41