PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- It was a rather one-sided affair for Wahconah Friday night as they took down Taconic, 39-6, at Wahconah Park.
But it did not start that way.
Wahconah (2-0) went four-and-out on its first possession, and Taconic (1-1) took advantage when Nikos Gian went 57 yards up the left side to give his team an early lead.
After the early blow Wahconah put together a nice drive of its own, finished with a 18-yard run from Dane Campbell to tie it up at 6-6.
The ensuing drive Augie Roughley secured an interception just before the end of the first quarter. Wahconah added another touchdown shortly into the second with a 7-yard touchdown run from Tanner Hastings. Hastings finished with 74 yards rushing and one touchdown. Wahconah tacked on a field goal to go up 17-6 after the shaky start to the game.
“Maybe it woke us up" Wahconah coach Gary Campbell said, referring to that opening dive by Taconic. "Taconic came out and we knew they are very good, Cedric [Rose] and Nikos are very good. That being said, ‘Oh boy, we are in a ball game. We have to fight now. It’s time to go.’ I don’t know if that helped, but it certainly woke us up.”
Tim Clayton then threw for a 12-yard touchdown to Tom Burris for the last score of the half, making it 24-6 at the break. Clayton threw for 68 yards and two touchdowns. This was Burris’ only touchdown of the game, but he had 42 yards receiving.
The second half was a little back in forth to begin with neither team really showing promise on the offensive end until Wahconah struck with Clayton’s second touchdown of the game to Gabe Verdi from 14 yards out. Both teams then looked to the reserves as they ran the clock out for most of the fourth quarter. Sophomore Ethan Scott got himself in the books with a nice 47-yard touchdown to Jake Gai to finish the game.
Taconic was the only opponent from Berkshire County for Wahconah this year, and it was one Campbell’s team wanted.
“It’s a rivalry game, and they have beaten us two years in a row. That’s why our kids are so happy,” Campbell said. “We wish we could play other Berkshire County teams because that’s where these kids go down to all the spots and that’s who they see. So for them to get a victory over someone in their area is a big deal to them they are still kids and they respect them, but they want to beat them too.”
Taconic will head on the road next Friday to take on Minnechaug, while Wahconah will play host to Chicopee.
