TURNERS FALLS – With 3 minutes, 32 seconds left in the fourth quarter and the ball on Belchertown’s 2-yard line, Franklin Tech took advantage of a hole in the offensive line and scored courtesy of junior running back Spencer Telega.
The Eagles attempted a 2-point conversion, but the pass fell incomplete. The touchdown was the difference as Franklin Tech won 22-18 Saturday.
“It’s a tough one,” said Belchertown coach Chris Bourget. “Give all the credit to Joe Gamache and his staff and his team, they did a great job, he’s building a great program here. They beat us today. They played very well today.”
After a scoreless first half, Franklin Tech (5-5) got the first first down of the game on a pass interference call on Belchertown senior Cam Supple.
The ball came back when Telega fumbled and the Orioles (4-5) recovered it at the Eagles’ 47-yard line.
A few plays later, Belchertown senior quarterback Jackson Leduc completed a 54-yard touchdown pass to Supple, who hauled the pass in despite Eagles defenders surrounding the area.
“They didn’t play defense very well on that one,” Supple said. “There were a lot of guys around where the ball was and not where I was. I read that ball in the air and got under it.”
Supple finished with three receptions for 99 yards and one touchdown. He also had an interception on defense.
Leduc completed 7 of 12 passes for 112 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Senior running back Cameron Cass had 13 carries for 90 yards.
“They’re our captains, they’re our two best players, they do a lot for us on the field emotionally off the field all week in practice,” Bourget said. “They do a great job of leading this team in all aspects.”
With 57 seconds left in the second quarter, Leduc found Justin Pendrick in the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown pass to put the Orioles up 12-0.
Telega returned the ensuing kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown. After converting a 2-point conversion, the Orioles lead was trimmed to 12-8.
Late in the third quarter, the Eagles drove to the Belchertown 4-yard line. The Orioles, however, took over after the Eagles turned it over on downs.
After losing 3 yards on consecutive failed running plays, Belchertown was forced to punt out of the end zone. The ball went out of bounds and the Eagles took over at the 33-yard line.
Late in the drive and facing fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line, Seth Aldrich found senior Caleb Milton in the end zone and ran in a 2-point conversion to give Franklin Tech a 16-12 lead with 9:46 left in the third quarter.
The Orioles answered when Supple returned the ensuing kickoff 92 yards for a 18-16 lead with 9:27 left.
After Telega scored the go-ahead touchdown with just over 3:30 left to play, Belchertown got the ball back, but was forced to punt.