NORTHAMPTON — Through three weeks of the season, the Easthampton football team has more than handled its business.
On the road Friday night, the Eagles sure found a way to make their presence known on the strength of a convincing 50-14 independent victory over Smith Vocational.
It was a record-breaking night all around. Easthampton scored a season-high 50 points in the win, and the club has outscored its three opponents by a 124-14 margin during the 3-0 start to the year.
On the other side of the field, Smith Vocational running back Jared Baer ran for a school-record 98-yard touchdown in the loss.
It was the first touchdown the Eagles have allowed all season after shutout wins over Mahar (42-) and Monument Mountain (32-0). Eagles’ quarterback Shea Healy continued to impress and drive the offensive unit.
“[Healy] is playing very well. He’s throwing the ball well. This is his first year as a starter and I’ve been really impressed with his decision-making,” Easthampton head coach Matt Bean said.
The offense is proving that it’s been clicking on all cylinders, and the players are continuing to put the work in by understanding their assignments, according to Bean.
“We know what we have to do. We just run our offense and we score. That’s it,” he said.
Healy has been a positive influence to the Eagles’ success. He had a 25-yard rushing touchdown of his own and threw a laser 13-yard passing touchdown to receiver Luke Kraus. Kraus also contributed to the score while putting up two touchdowns.
Healy’s creative rushing gave the Eagles the comfortable breathing room they needed. The 25-yard rushing touchdown was perfectly scripted. Healy faked to running back Angel Moody, and then took the ball himself. He swiveled left to find the perfect place for a dash, and as he took to the left field sideline, he caught sight of the end zone.
Healy said he believes that practices have put him and the team in the position to be comfortable with his ability to go for those runs and to execute as best as he can.
“We don’t take anything lightly. We practice how we play in games and it gets us game ready,” Healy said.
The hope for the rest of the season is the Eagles won’t let up and the offense will continue to succeed. Healy said that he hopes that they go undefeated and have the same energy for next time.
“We have Hoosac next week and we get them at home. It’s going to be a good test of where we’re at and hopefully we play well,” Bean concluded.
The Eagles host the Hurricanes in the Intercounty League South opener Friday at 7 p.m. The game will once again be played at Smith Vocational in Northampton.
The Vikings will look to capture their first win next week at Pathfinder.