Amherst Shuts Out Taconic
PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- A hurricane is an uncontrollable and destructive force that is feared by all.
Friday night the Amherst Hurricanes lived up to their name, after touching down at Berkshire Community College and then wreaking havoc for a 34-0 shutout victory over Taconic. Often working with a short field, Amherst (4-0) churned up 186 total offensive yards and did all of its scoring in the first half to remain undefeated.
The hosts struggled to move the ball all night long, finishing with just 61 yards of total offense. Taconic (1-3) suffered its third shutout loss of the season.
The Hurricanes broke things open with two scores less than two minutes apart late in the first quarter. Each side volleyed for field position early on and traded punts, but then the Canes got things going when JB Mills fired a perfect spiral deep to CJ Woodfine for a 40-yard touchdown. Shane Robles hauled in the two-point conversion, and Amherst maintained the momentum by holding Taconic on downs and then blocking the punt attempt to set the offense up with the ball at the five-yard line.
Connor Bowen increased the lead to 14-0 with a TD rush on the first offensive play.
Midway through the second quarter the Hurricanes recovered a fumble and again converted the turnover into points. Dan Block took it in from seven yards out to make it 20-0 for the road team.
Amherst tacked on two more scores to pull away. Mills connected with Antonio Govan for a nine-yard touchdown pass, and Block closed out the scoring with a 4-yard TD run shortly before halftime.
Mills completed 9-of-20 passes for 76 yards.
Taconic mustered up a spirited defensive effort in the second half to keep Amherst out of the end zone and give the offense a chance to fight its way back into it. Deondre Goines intercepted Mills on the opening play of the second half to spark the defense, which held the Canes to two punts and two turnovers in the second half.
Senior Dylan Burke and junior Nick Hall each had five tackles to lead all defenders. Senior Marquis Saunders had four tackles, and Warren Dews and Anthony Johnson had three tackles apiece.
Goines had two tackles and a pass deflection to go with his interception, and Dazyear Moore also deflected a pass and recorded two tackles.
Nick Hall also led the ground attack, gaining 32 yards on four carries. Anthony Johnson added 30 yards on nine attempts.
Taconic did not complete a pass, as two quarterbacks were a combined 0-for-5 passing.