H.S. football: Defense steps up in Smith Voc’s 22-6 victory over McCann Tech

NORTHAMPTON — Smith Voc sophomore Cole Bruso heard his coaches loud and clear in the fourth quarter against McCann Tech. Up 16-6, the Vikings needed to stop the Hornets one more time to end the game with a few minutes to go.

The Vikings’ coaching staff made it clear the secondary had to know where Hornets playmaker Anthony Trzcinski, who already scored a touchdown, was at all times.

On fourth-and-short, Bruso jumped in front of Trzcinski, intercepting McCann quarterback Landyn Phillips and running the ball back about 65-yards for the touchdown. His score put the final stamp on Smith Voc’s 22-6 victory in front of the home crowd on Thursday.

“I watched the quarterback’s eyes. I just followed (Trzcinski), got the ball, and just ran,” Bruso said.

The play was not only Bruso’s first varsity touchdown, but also his first interception.

“That was awesome,” Smith Voc head coach Alex Subocz said. “Cole’s a great kid. Anytime you see a good kid do a great thing on the field it makes it extra special. He read it perfectly and then got to show everybody how fast he is.”

Bruso’s inteception was one of six turnovers the Viking defense forced on the night. Caiden Fournier also intercepted Phillips earlier in the fourth quarter. Smith Voc recovered four fumbles in it’s best defensive performance of the season.

“We’re definitely good in the front,” Bruso said. “Our second wall is very good, pass coverage is doing great.”

McCann Tech fumbled on its opening drive of the game, allowing Smith Voc senior lineman Jayden “Cupcake” Yon to jump on the ball and set the offense up at the Hornets’ 27-yard line.

The Vikings capitalized on the opportunity thanks to a 6-yard run up the middle by Deryk Nuttleman for the touchdown. A successful 2-point conversion put Smith Voc up 8-0 early in the first quarter.

That would be the only touchdown Smith Voc scored until the fourth quarter. The Vikings entered the red zone twice during the scoreless stretch, only to end both drives with turnovers on downs.

“Throughout the season, they’ve been our anchors,” McCann Tech head coach Jon Rochelo said. “What it came down to is they didn’t make that many mistakes.”

The Vikings lost one fumble on offense and misplayed a punt that allowed McCann Tech to extend its drive.

Trzcinski scored the lone McCann touchdown on a 5-yard run in the second quarter. The Hornets attempted to tie the game with a 2-point conversion, but failed, leaving the score 8-6 headed into halftime.

The senior was a dynamic weapon on offense. He rushed for 109 yards on 17 carries. He also racked up 65 receiving yards on two catches, thanks to a catch and run that went over 50-yards.

“He’s just on another level,” Rochelo said. “The line doesn’t get enough credit but he’s getting all those big yards up the middle. He’s got great vision.”

After three quarters of a 8-6 game, Smith Voc finally capitalized on a red zone appearance to start the fourth quarter. From the 3-yard line, Jett Sabourin barreled through the line for the touchdown. Another successful 2-point conversion made it a two-possession game, 16-6.

The junior captain led the Vikings with 51 yards on 12 carries. He also made two catches for 14 yards.

For an offense that is mostly juniors and sophomores, as well as starting a different offensive line configuration almost every game, moving the ball isn’t always easy. After pushing through a three-game losing streak, Subocz credits the team’s grit for wins in its last two games.

“We’ve executed clearer, we’ve played faster. That comes down to grit. That just comes down to wanting it more,” Subocz said.

Smith Voc hosts Quaboag next week, where the team will don its military appreciation uniforms.

Smith Voc. celebrates prize for field upgrades

Representatives from T-Mobile were also at the field Thursday to host a celebration for Smith Voc reaching the regional finals in its Friday Night Lights Challenge. They presented a $25,000 check to Smith Voc administrators for winning the weekly sweepstakes as well as advancing to the regional final round.

T-Mobile also paid for admission for all the fans on Thursday, and provided $10 vouchers to the food truck run by the school’s culinary arts program.

Fans can still vote once a day through October 25 to send Smith Voc to the final round where it would compete against the other regional winners. Advancing to the next round would bring in another $250,000 for the school.