WARE – In a battle of two of the strongest teams in Western Mass. this Fall II season, host Ware continued its solid season thanks to a 22-12 victory over Northampton on Saturday.

“Ware played us well,” offered Northampton coach Joe Kocot. “They came out very aggressive.”

After a scoreless first quarter, Ware got on the board just 50 seconds into the second period when Andrew Soltys capped a drive with a 4-yard touchdown run. Soltys also hauled in the two-point conversion pass from quarterback Dillon Slattery to make it an 8-0 advantage.

Ware extended its lead through the air later in the second quarter, when Soltys sprinted down an open field and snagged a 76-yard touchdown pass from Slattery to make it a 15-0 contest.

The second quarter’s excitement didn’t stop there for the hosts, as Ware senior defensive lineman, Jack Tweedie, came from the left side and managed to block a punt deep in Northampton territory. Late in the period, Slattery drove the ball to the endzone with a 2-yard touchdown run to bring the score to 22-0.

“The two big things were a broken play for a long pass on their sideline and a blocked punt,” explained Kocot. “There’s 15 points right there. We did some punt characteristic stuff, penalties, some dumb stuff.”

With halftime approaching, Northampton managed to get on the board for the first time on the afternoon. On a fourth-and-1, Mykal Norris punched in a touchdown from 7 yards out, pulling the Blue Devils within 22-6 with three minutes to play.

Northampton’s defense settled into the game from there, and the visitors slowed down Ware’s offense for the majority of the third quarter. The offense cut into the deficit further thanks to familiar face Brett Holden, as his scamper made it 22-12.

The teams played a scoreless fourth quarter, as Ware’s Slattery and Soltys managed to keep the chains moving and the defense prevented another late Northampton score.

“All the coaches told the players these guys are some of the toughest players we’ve on film,” said Kocot of Ware. “Ware came ready to play, and we give them all the credit in the world.”

Northampton QB Ben Sledzieski completed 5-of-10 passes for 79 yards, while Holden paced the ground attack with a team-high 78 yards on 15 carries.

The Blue Devils will close out their season Friday with a game against Putnam.