NORTHAMPTON — Three high school football teams got their playoff opponent announced, Sunday at Smith Vocational.
Next begins a week of preparation for Western Massachusetts Tournament semifinals Friday night.
Amherst Regional (6-2) returns to the playoffs for the first time since winning the Division 1 Super Bowl in 1999. The Hurricanes are the No. 4 seed 2) and will travel to Clark Field to play top-seeded West Springfield (7-1) in Division 5.
“This year we designed the defense and offense to play as a team,” Amherst coach Chris Ehorn Jr. said. “We are close-knit and united.”
Amherst features the running back trio of Alex Fernandez, Josh Vecchio and Isaiah Rodriguez.
West Springfield boasts one of the best running backs in western Mass. in Vaunell Hill and an accurate, strong-armed quarterback in Tyler Rochefort.
Hill is a punishing runner with speed.
“He just does not know how to come down,” Ehorn said. “It takes multiple defenders. We will all have to rally to the ball.”
The Terriers present a unique challenge for the Hurricanes as a play fake to Hill could cause problems for his defense.
Our defensive backs need to be disciplined,” Ehorn said.
In Division 7, No. 2 Frontier Regional (7-1) will host No. 3 South Hadley (5-3) at 7 p.m.
Frontier coach Don Gordon, who began coaching with Frontier in 1974, said he cannot recall ever playing the Tigers.
“Watching them right now, I am seeing speed. Quite a few running backs,” Gordon said. “It’s going to be a very competitive game. They have a pretty good tradition.”
Both teams rely heavily on running the ball. Frontier features running backs Aaron Landry and Stevie Worthley.
South Hadley hands the ball to multiple backs with Liam Dawson leading the team in carries.
For South Hadley coach Scott Taylor, an unfamiliar opponent is nothing new.
“Just like anybody else you try and get film,” Taylor said. “Or talk to people and read the papers.”
Taylor does have some knowledge of the Red Hawks.
“Hard-nosed team with three really good running backs,” Taylor said. “We will have our work cut out for us.”
In non-playoff games scheduled for Friday: Smith Vocational (3-5) will host Franklin Tech (4-4), Northampton (3-5) will travel to Chicopee (3-5), Easthampton (4-4) will go to Monument Mountain (4-3) and Belchertown (1-7) will play Athol (2-6) on the road.
