SPRINGFIELD — With less than a minute to go in the game, the Belchertown football team answered the call.
While host Commerce managed to tie the game 14-14 with a pair of second-half touchdowns, the Orioles responded with the go-ahead score in the fourth quarter to secure a 22-14 victory in the Intercounty League South opener at Berte Field.
The rushing plays came in bunches for the Orioles as running back Joshua Grillo finished with a total of 145 rushing yards, including a 4-yard rushing touchdown. Quarterback Nolan Otto added to the rushing attack with two scores on the ground as well as passing for 70 yards on the night.
Otto sealed the win in the waning seconds. The QB took the snap on the Commerce 4-yard line with 30 seconds left on the clock, and made an immediate move through the defensive line. He found a hole that gave him the pathway to the game-winning touchdown.
“I put [Otto] in troubling situations. You probably hear me yelling at him on the sidelines, but when it comes down to it we get along. He is a very talented kid when he gets the chance,” Belchertown head coach Dan McCarthy said.
The Red Raiders had stormed back with a convincing second half. All 14 of their points came in the second half and with that came the potential for a shift in momentum.
Commerce forced a fumble right outside of Belchertown’s end zone and walked in their second touchdown of the night to tie it 14-14.
Belchertown got its chance for a turnover in the fourth quarter however, using an interception to get into position for the game-clinching touchdown.
The late interception from the Orioles was just what the doctor needed, coming with two minutes remaining.
McCarthy said he was pleased with how the team handled the adversity and fought through it all until the very end.
“I’m so proud of my guys. They performed and they ran the way the system was supposed to be,” he said.
McCarthy also mentioned how the Orioles stayed true to the game plan by pressuring the defense and gaining confidence throughout the competition.
Belchertown improved to 2-2 overall, 1-0 in the IL South. The Orioles will next host Hoosac Valley in two weeks on Oct. 15.