Prepared Hornets Smack Pathfinder Early
NORTH ADAMS, Mass — The McCann Tech football team suffered a heartbreaking loss 15-7 in overtime to Pathfinder last season and used it as motivation in a 31-14 win over the Pioneers, Saturday at home.
"Ever since we lost that game we've been preparing to play them this year" said senior captain Michael Chappell. The Hornets(2-0) came out on fire, scoring on their first play of the game as Chappell took the snap out of the shotgun, went left and was gone for a 60-yard touchdown. McCann's defense stepped up next when junior strong safety Justin Cote picked off the Pathfinder quarterback, giving the Hornets the ball on the Pathfinder 44. Four plays later, senior captain Brandon Czarnecki scored on a 33-yard run.
"Last year I told them that we could have scored three touchdowns on our first three possessions, so we wanted to correct the little things," Coach LeClair said. "We worked very hard all week long and got everything ready that we needed to get ready for today, and I think it showed."
McCann was up 14-0, and their defense thrived off the momentum, stopping the Pioneer offense on their next three straight possessions. The McCann offense clicked back into gear with a eight play, 63-yard march for a score. The Hornets used their other weapons on the drive, connecting with senior captain Zach Giron for 15 yards. Then Steven Barbeau got his work, blasting off 15 and 13-yard runs and ending with a 8-yard score right before the half.
McCann didn't slow down after the break, forcing Pathfinder to punt after three plays. Chappell went right back to tight end Giron, taking advantage of his 6'5" height for a 41-yard completion and finished the drive, himself, on a one-yard plunge. McCann now lead 28-0. The Hornets stuffed Pathfinder's offense again on their next possesion, and sealed the game with a 35-yard field goal from Zach Bantle.
Pathfinder would score two touchdowns late in the fourth quarter to make it closer but the game was already out of reach.
Chappell, Barbeau, and Czarnecki scored all four of the Hornet's touchdowns and combined for 190 of the teams 226 rushing yards. "Czarnecki and Barbeau are as good of a pair of running backs as you can find and throwing Michael(Chappell) into the mix, you can not key on one guy." added Coach LeClair.
When talking to Chappell after the game, he said "It was more a mental game then a physical game" We knew that it's Pathfinder, they always come out hitting hard, big kids, tough football no matter what the score is. We came out and knew exactly what we were supposed to do."
McCann will look to continue the strong start to their season when the visit Greenfield next Friday at 7 p.m.
Click HERE for pictures from the game!