SOUTH DEERFIELD — Everything worked for the Frontier Regional football team on Friday night. Now, the Red Hawks are one step closer to a league title.
Seniors Brady Poreda and Garrett Dredge led a punishing ground game as Frontier rolled past Northampton, 54-0, at home.
Frontier (6-0) is 3-0 in the Intercounty South and can clinch at least a share of the league title with a win at home against Springfield International Charter next week.
“It was one of the most complete games I’ve been a part of in a long time,” Frontier coach Scott Dredge said. “Everything was clicking, all phases of the game. I’m really happy for our team, the way they bounced back after getting challenged (by Chicopee) last week. We made that a goal this week, to not take anything for granted.”
Northampton (1-5, 1-2) dropped its second straight game. The Blue Devils host Commerce next week.
“It’s a rough night,” first-year Northampton coach Rocco Fernandez said. “This isn’t the team that we were the last two weeks. We built some momentum after (beating) Ludlow. We played Springfield International tough last week. This just wasn’t our week.”
Poreda and Garrett Dredge each scored two touchdowns. Poreda finished with 99 yards on 14 carries, while his classmate had 13 touches for 154 yards.
“Every team coming in knows how we do things around here: it’s run the ball, control the clock,” Poreda said. “Once you get them tired down and they want to give up, it’s over from there.”
Frontier had a combined 360 yards rushing and averaged 10.9 yards per carry. The Red Hawks picked up 21 first downs, compared to Northampton’s five.
Frontier’s offensive line, led by Max Hunter, made the difference.
“They really put in the work this offseason and it shows,” Poreda said. “We struggled last year offensively, and we got on our line all offseason about getting better and blocking because that was going to be our offense this year. They proved themselves this season. It’s amazing.”
Everyone contributed to the win as Frontier scored on seven of eight possessions.
“I think the line as a whole did a really good job,” Hunter added. “There were a lot of touchdowns today; 54 points on the board.”
Julian Adams and Noah Poreda each had one rushing touchdown. Quarterback Konnor James found Levi Pickert on a 21-yard scoring pass, in addition to one two-point conversion.
James, Garrett Dredge and Adams each rushed for a conversion. Noah Poreda had one successful extra point kick.
Even when Northampton had Frontier pinned, the Red Hawks found a way to keep a drive going. Facing fourth-and 10 and their own 37, Garrett Dredge faked a punt. After scrambling to his right, he found his brother Noah downfield for a 35-yard play. Frontier added its third touchdown three players later.
“It’s a difficult offense to contain,” Fernandez said. “We worked around it all week and prepared for it. We tried some different things personnel-wise.”
Frontier pinned Northampton’s rushing attack at the line. Hunter led the effort up front.
“Block destruction and shedding blocks; Max did a phenomenal job tonight,” Scott Dredge said. “They way he flowed down the line and trailed the play. He put himself in good position to make tackles.”
Northampton quarterback Dion Cadiz had time to throw, but his passes were knocked down by the Frontier secondary. The Poreda brothers and Garrett Dredge were in position to cover Northampton receiver Bradyn Rios.
Hamp backup quarterback Connor Battey completed a 14-yard pass to Arteyvian Soum-Marrero, and a 19-yard pass to Gerald Lopez late in the fourth quarter.
“We were very nervous about their quarterback and their receiver combos,” Scott Dredge said. “What we saw on film was a very good passing game. We didn’t want to get ourselves in a position to be catching up on big plays. We wanted to control the clock.”