PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Hoosac Valley football team edged out Pittsfield in a wild one Friday night at BCC, 36-32.
As the season winds down, each becomes more important than the last, and this one did not cease to impress.
The evening started off with the usual football we are accustomed to seeing from Hoosac (4-2): a heavy dose of running. The Hurricanes were able to move the ball down into Pittsfield territory only to be picked off on the first throwing play of the game. Pittsfield (3-4) was not be able to cash in on the turnover, giving the ball right back to Hoosac after punting the ball.
The very next possession from Hoosac ended the same way as the first, or so the crowd thought. An interception returned for a touchdown was called back due to a roughing the passer penalty, giving Hoosac another chance on offense. This time they didn’t waste the opportunity, rushing for an 8-yard touchdown by Liam Feeley to give them a 6-0 lead. Feely had a monster game on the ground, rushing for 228 yards and three touchdowns.
Pittsfield continued to struggle on offense, turning it over on downs inside the 30 yard-line. Hoosac dominated the clock once again, grinding out another long series resulting in a touchdown to give them a 14-0 lead.
The Generals were looking for something to get them going and that is exactly what happened when Donte Cruz connected with Joseph Traversa on a HB pass for a 28-yard TD.
Hoosac answered back on the ground again with a QB keeper from Justin Meczywor from 1 yard out to give them a 22-6 lead with less than a minute in the half. Needing something big, Pittsfield called on Cruz once again -- only this time it was during the kickoff. Cruz took the kickoff 80 yards for a score, giving his team some momentum going into the break trailing 22-14.
Hoosac Valley looked to shake things up in the second half by curbing the momentum Pittsfield had in the first by trying an onside kick, but due to a penalty the Generals held onto possession. The very next play, Pittsfield coughed up the ball, giving Hoosac the possession right back. The Hurricanes went back to their bread and butter and got the eventual score from Liam Feeley once again.
Things seemed to be going well for Hoosac, but the one glaring issue was the big plays from Pittsfield. Sincere Moorer was the candidate this time breaking a 74-yard touchdown run outside to strike back fast for Pittsfield. After another long series from Hoosac for a score, Pittsfield answered back in the blink of an eye with a 62-yard strike from D’Andre to Donte Cruz for a score. Donte Cruz had nearly 160 all purpose yards and four touchdowns.
“Johnson, Cruz, and Moorer are really good, They did a great job finding holes.” Hoosac Valley coach Dayne Poirot said. “Those quick plays hurt and kept them in the game after we would grind to score and they would just come right back.”
It seemed no matter what Hoosac did in the second half; Pittsfield had an answer. Cruz looked complement his stellar offensive game with a crucial pick late in the fourth quarter to give Pittsfield a chance to take their first lead of the game. Unfortunately for the Generals, Hoosac was able to step up big and shut them down. Hoosac Valley then went back to its run game and ran the clock out.
“Getting the fourth down stop was gigantic, our backs were to the wall and they made a great play. Our guys were moving people upfront and our guys were able to rely on the run.” Poirot added.
It was a classic game that both teams should be proud of regardless of the result on Pittsfield's end.
“Our leadership is fantastic,” Pittsfield coach Brian Jezewski said. “I feel for our guys but the message has always been, we need to take it because nothing will be given to us, Unfortunately we let too many things get out of our hand early and that led to the result at the end.”
Hoosac Valley will host Commerce next Saturday in the final game of the regular season. While Pittsfield will take on Taconic with the City championship and playoffs still to shoot for.
