PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- The Hoosac Valley football team Friday used two big plays on defense to jump out to a 14-0 lead and never looked back in a 47-16 win over Taconic at Wahconah Park.
Vance Eugene threw a 45-yard touchdown pass, and David Critelli scored on a 75-yard run.
But the offense was almost an after-thought after a fumble return for a touchdown and a blocked punt deep in Taconic territory put the Hurricanes (5-0) out in front early.
“The first four weeks, we thought that early on we didn’t do a great job of things, and we did tonight, which was great,” Hoosac Valley coach Dayne Poirot said. “It was sparked a little bit with Dave Critelli getting that play on special teams, the defense getting some turnovers.
“However we can get energy early on, it’s good.”
After Matt Hall ran in a 3-yard score to help make it 16-0 midway through the first quarter, Hoosac Valley’s defense forced a three-and-out to get the ball back at midfield.
Two plays later, Eugene hit Nicholas Waterman deep down the right side for a 45-yard score to help make it 24-0 after one quarter.
The teams traded fumbles in a sloppy start to the second quarter, but Critelli’s 75-run up the middle made it a four-score game, and there was little doubt about the outcome.
Hall ran in a 2-yarder midway through the second to make it 40-0, and that’s where it stood at half-time.
The teams traded long drives in the second. Taconic went 49 yards before surrendering the ball on downs at the Hoosac 23. The Hurricanes responded with a 77-yard march that ended with a 12-yard pass from Eugene to Waterman.
Taconic managed a pair of scores against the Hurricanes’ second-string defense.
First, Nikos Gian ran 64 yards for a TD to start the fourth quarter. Then Cole Lander capped the scoring with a 12-yard run.
Taconic (1-4) hosts Commerce next Saturday afternoon at Wahconah Park.
Hoosac Valley goes to Chicopee on Friday.
