The “Battle of the Bridge” is one of the most anticipated high school football games of the year in Hampshire County.
Although the excitement that comes with the game is always present, there hasn’t been a matchup in quite some time where both programs were playoff contenders. This season, Northampton (5-2) and Amherst (7-0) will both compete in the Division 5 playoffs.
The two teams will square off for the 76th time this Friday at Community Field in Amherst with opening kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.
This year’s game will not only be for bragging rights (albeit for one week), but it’ll also play a likely role in deciding who gets home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
“There’s a lot on the line,” Amherst quarterback J.B. Mills said. “Obviously, I don’t like those guys very much. I haven’t beaten them a lot, so I’m looking forward to it. (Northampton quarterback) Tom Jacques has been throwing the ball a lot better this year. Their passing game can be scary at times. They’ve got a lot of play-makers.”
Amherst (16.29) is second in the Division 5 Western Massachusetts playoff ratings, behind West Springfield (17.14). Northampton is third (15.71) and ahead of Easthampton (12.00).
West Springfield (5-2) visits East Longmeadow (2-5) Friday. Amherst needs to win and the Terriers to lose to have a chance at the top seed in Division 5. Otherwise, the winner between Amherst and Northampton will likely host the other in the semifinals. The tournament seed meeting is Sunday at 9 a.m. at Smith Vocational.
“I think there is always an extra energy when we play Amherst,” Northampton lineman Jack Diggins said. “It’s especially intensified because they have a really good team this year and we have a really good team. It’ll be a good matchup.”
The Hurricanes have been dominant on both sides of the ball during the regular season, averaging 37 points per game while only giving up four touchdowns in their last five games.
“Amherst is big and strong. They’re fast,” Northampton coach Joe Kocot said. “They do a lot with their big guys. They have, what I consider, one of the best linebackers we are going to go against in (Josh Vecchio). He goes to the ball hard. … That defensive line is trying to take multiple gaps away, especially the two A-gap and B-gaps. The offensive line has got to block and keep their feet.”
The Blue Devils are coming off a 35-34 win against previously unbeaten Minnechaug last Friday. Although the Falcons and the Hurricanes are two different teams, the game served as a good way to prepare Northampton for this Friday’s showdown.
“(Minnechaug) had big guys as well, and fast guys,” Kocot said. “Just like the Minnechaug game, there are going to be plays where (Amherst) blows it up. The key is not to sulk on that play. Go to the next play.”
Northampton has won the last four regular season matchups with the Hurricanes. The most recent coming in last year’s season-opener, 28-14.
Tomorrow is the biggest @FootballAmherst/@NHSbluedevils football game in more than a decade. We asked the @AmherstCanes and Blue Devils players a key question in the matchup: is it Hamp or Noho? pic.twitter.com/HABvns9xWG
— Kyle Grabowski (@kylegrbwsk) October 31, 2019
“We have a sour taste in our mouth from the last three years. We want to change that,” Amherst head coach Chris Ehorn Jr. said. “I think this is the best our programs have been in decades of facing each other. We’ve heard people say our strength of schedule isn’t as hard as Northampton, but we can’t play ourselves, so we understand why their strength of schedule is bigger, but we want to prove we’re ready for the game.”
Northampton’s offense shifted from a run-heavy option scheme last season to a more balanced attack this fall. The change in scheme has helped the Blue Devils spread defenses and find the end zone more consistently.
“They do a lot of good stuff. They’re very tough, physical team,” Amherst lineman Jack Nagy said. “They don’t beat themselves. They have two different looks on offense so we have to be prepared for both of those. I always want to play the best competition there is, and they’re definitely a great team.”
Kyle Grabowski contributed to this report.