SOUTH HADLEY – The South Hadley football team was running on fumes.
The Tigers were in position to extend their two-score lead, but a flag and three negative plays resulted in a turnover on downs at Chicopee’s 25-yard line one minute into the fourth quarter.
Short-handed South Hadley regrouped though. The defense forced a three-and-out and the Tigers took over at midfield after a punt. Six plays later, Owen Dawson scored his second touchdown of the night. The junior added the conversion run to seal the Tigers’ 30-6 Suburban League North win over the Pacers, Friday night in their home opener.
“It feels amazing,” Dawson said. “A lot of our guys are going down, we had, I don’t even know how many, but we didn’t have any subs. Coming out victorious means everything.”
It was the first win of the season for South Hadley (1-3, 1-0), which was outscored 117-14 over the first three weeks. It was also the first win for first-year coach Brian Couture. The Chicopee Comp alum relished the victory.
“Chicopee High has been my rival for a long time,” Couture said. “To get my first win as a head coach against Coach (Alex) Efstratios; Coach Efstratios is a great guy but it’s good to have a win against Chicopee High.”
South Hadley’s path to victory was paved by the offensive line. The Tigers’ ground attack was led by Dawson (14 carries, 79 yards), Julius Hebenth (eight carries, 55 yards) and Brayden Carlin (11 carries, 83 yards), but linemen Ryan Poirier, Ethan Haber, Justin McMains, Sly Curto and Ayden McMains worked the blocks of the varied attack.
“They really put in the work this week,” Couture said. “They really focused this week. … They listened to the coaches and they came to play today. They really put it together.”
The line, tired as it was, keyed the final scoring drive, which saw the Tigers go 47 yards in six plays. Dawson followed Haber, who pulled from his left guard position, into the end zone from 12 yards out.
“That last drive solidified the win for us,” Dawson said. “Once we punched that in it felt amazing.”
South Hadley took a 14-0 lead en route to a 22-6 edge at halftime.
The Tigers scored on their opening possession. Dawson kept the drive alive with a 10-yard first-down run on third-and-4, patiently running behind his blockers. An 18-yard run by Hebenth set the Tigers up at the Pacer 4. Three plays later, quarterback Burke Belsky hit Dawson for 11 yards and the touchdown.
A muffed punt gave the Tigers good field position at Chicopee’s 28 to start their second drive. Six plays later Hebenth followed Brady Currier and Dawson up the sideline for a 15-yard touchdown run. Belsky found Dawson on the conversion for a 14-0 lead with 9:44 left in the second.
The Pacers (2-1) got on the board when Xavion Maldonado returned an interception 70 yards for the touchdown with 5:44 left. It was the first of two interceptions thrown by Belsky.
South Hadley answered that play quickly. Dawson ripped off a spinning, tackle-breaking 35-yard run. Carlin added a 15-yard carrier to set the Tigers up at first-and-goal at the 7. Belsky punched it in two plays later, then added the conversion for a 22-6 lead.
South Hadley’s defense held Chicopee’s rushing attack to just over 100 yards. Jareem Garvin had nine carries for 43 yards, while Jeremy Beach had six carriers for 37 yards. Poirier and Dawson each recovered a fumble. Haber had a sack.
The Tigers had a key stop early in the third with South Hadley holding a 22-6 lead. Facing fourth-and-3 from the Tigers’ 16, Hebenth dropped Garvin inches short of a first down.
“It was heartbreaking the last two weeks giving up (56) and (42) points. That is killer for a defense,” Couture said. “These guys really paid attention this week and they got after the film. Chicopee’s running backs are big and they run hard, but the boys were focused this week and they really wanted this.”
South Hadley visits Ludlow on Oct. 7.