Top-seeded South Hadley will play No. 2 Chicopee in the Western Massachusetts Division 7 football championship Saturday at 2 p.m. at Chicopee Comp.
The Tigers (7-2) defeated Wahconah Regional last Friday, 33-14, to earn a spot in the title game. Chicopee (7-2) defeated No. 3 Frontier Regional, 26-8 in the semifinals to advance to the championship.
Although South Hadley took care of business against the three-time defending champ in the Warriors and defeated the Pacers in the regular season, the team knows hard work is still ahead of them.
“From day one we’ve said to get better than you were the day before. We try and get better every day, and Chicopee is better than they were (earlier this season),” South Hadley coach Scott Taylor said. “I’d say the same about us.”
The Tigers dealt with key injuries early and a shaky end to the regular season, losing to Amherst Regional and Minnechaug, but the program feels like it is at full strength moving forward into Saturday’s game.
“Our kids are working hard because they know this is a great opportunity,” Taylor said.
The Tigers fell to Wahconah, 46-14, in last year’s sectional final.
“The kids are looking for a little redemption,” Taylor said. “These seniors have taken it upon themselves to prepare the team this week.”
South Hadley runs its offense out of a winged-T formation and pounds the ball with their star running back, Hunter Carey. The senior running back rushed for 211 yards and four touchdowns on 20 attempts in the Tigers’ win over Wahconah in the semifinals.
Kyle Johnson, Tyrell Braithwaite and Colin Mailhott have also been productive rushers for South Hadley this season.
The team’s running backs are versatile out of the backfield, but the program’s offensive line, led by Ryan Levrault, Max Garvin and Noah Will, have set the tone for the team’s rushing attack all season long.
“They’re the leaders up there,” Taylor said on the trio. “Their mentality is that no one runs the ball by themselves. We talk about that. They take pride in what they do. They don’t get their names in the paper for everything. The effort and work they do and the study, as far as film work goes, shows in their blocking. Every team tries to confuse us, but we’ve seen just about all of it, but the kids are adaptable.”
Like the Tigers, Chicopee also operates much of its offense through a rushing attack.
“We are going to have to win the turnover game,” Taylor said. “We are implementing the same thing we did last week against Wahconah when it comes to focus on tackling … We have to stop their running game. That’s their strength. That is where it all starts.”
As the season has progressed, Taylor has seen the team collectively pay more attention to fine details.
“Their level of focus and preparation has increased as the season has gone on,” Taylor said. “Their speed as well. I think we’ve gotten faster with our reads and techniques. I think our defense, besides some moments in the Putnam game, has improved as well. This is the first time we are healthy this year too. We are excited.”
Gage Nutter can be reached at gnutter@gazettenet.com. Follow him on Twitter @GageNutterDHG.