South Hadley football outclasses Pittsfield on the road

By JAKE MENDEL

PITTSFIELD — The South Hadley football team stepped up whenever it needed a big play and showcased why it’s the class of Western Massachusetts Division 7 football in a rare Thursday night game at Berkshire Community College. Colin Mailhott averaged almost eight yards a carry and found the end zone three times, as the Tigers defeated Pittsfield 35-18.

South Hadley’s offense featured plenty of moving parts with counters and fakes, which allowed Kyle Johnson and Tyrell Braithwaite to find rhythm between the tackles, as each averaged five yards a carry on the ground.

“We just have to hit the holes and fill them a lot harder,” Pittsfield linebacker Michael Charles said. “I think it started up front and that is where we need to put the work in.”

After a 70-yard touchdown by Mailhott gave the top-ranked Tigers (4-0) a 13-0 lead, the Pittsfield offense started to show life. Emmanuel Nda, who finished the night with 112 yards and a touchdown, brought the Generals (1-3) just inches away from the goal line with back-to-back strong runs of 20 and nine yards, respectively.

From there, sophomore quarterback Patrick Rindfuss punched it in to put Pittsfield on the board at 13-6.

South Hadley answered with a two-yard scamper from quarterback Ethan Murphy, pushing the lead up to 21-6 after Mailhott plunged in with the two-point try.

Pittsfield responded to the body blow with one of its own.

Sincere Moorer was lined up in the slot, and streaked down the field and found room in the end zone. Rindfuss delivered a perfect 22-yard pass, cutting the deficit to just nine.

Every time Pittsfield gained some traction, the Tigers kicked them off the rails. Shawn Michell scored on a one-yard run to give South Hadley a 28-12 lead with the help of an extra point from Harrison Baptiste.

Hadley scored on four of five possessions in the half and ended the first 24 minutes with a statement. Ryan Levrault sacked Rindfuss to end the half and keep the Generals from entering the break on a good note.

Despite the tough outing, Pittsfield has developed some clear building blocks in Rindfuss and Charles. Rindfuss has scored five touchdowns in two weeks, while No. 44 is in the middle of every pile. The game is slowing down for Charles halfway through his sophomore season.

“It all starts at practice,” he said. “You put in the work there and then it transfers to how you play on the field.”

The youngsters blend well with Pittsfield’s group of senior captains, along with the playmaking ability of Moorer and Nda, whom are both juniors.

Nda took a pitch to the end zone from 12-yards out late in the third, making it a 10-point game at 28-18.

Pittsfield was in need of something to grab the momentum and had a handful of opportunities. On a wet and dreary Thursday night, the Tigers put the ball on the ground four times. However, the Generals didn’t force the game’s first turnover until there were roughly seven minutes left in the game.

Pittsfield couldn’t get anything rolling as Max Garvin sacked Rindfuss late, ending the comeback hopes.

Despite the loss, Pittsfield’s young core is taking steps in the right direction and the players still find themselves in the logjam of teams trying to snag that final playoff spot in Division 7.

“It was a tough loss,” Charles said. “Every game doesn’t go in your favor, you just have to keep your head up and be ready for the next game.”

South Hadley 35, Pittsfield 18

First quarter

SH — Colin Mailhott 34 run (Harrison Baptiste kick), 8:22.

SH — Tyrell Braithwaite 70 run (pass fail)

P — Emmanuel Nda 12 run (run failed), :17.

Second quarter

SH — Murphy 2 run (Mailhott run), 8:14.

P — Sincere Moorer 22 pass from Rindfuss (run failed), 7:12.

SH — Shawn Michell 1 run (Baptiste kick), 2:30.

Third quarter

P — Emmanuel Nda 12 run (run failed), 0:17.

Fourth quarter

SH — Mailhott 18 run (Baptiste kick), 3:18.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Pittsfield– Nda 16-112, Sam Taylor 2-6, Moorer 3-18, Rindfuss 6-5, Michael Charles 2-10. South Hadley-Mailhott 19-143, Braithwaite 15-82, Murphy 3-8, Kyle Johnson 14-69, Michell 2-(-5).

PASSING—Pittsfield– Rindfuss 7-12-77.. South Hadley–Ethan Murphy 1-1-13, Shawn Michell 2-4-58.

RECEIVING—Pittsfield–Taylor 3-5, Moorer3-64, Nda 1-8. South Hadley- Braithwaite 2-21, Evan Pequette 1-50.