TURNERS FALLS — Franklin County Technical School ran into a difficult opponent for its home opener, and it cost the Eagles more than just a loss.
Intercounty League South contender Lee High School came to the Powertown and used a physical rushing attack, a few well-timed throws and a stifling defense to defeat Franklin Tech 34-12 in an independent football contest on an unseasonably warm and humid Saturday afternoon.
“Lee was certainly very physical and very tough,” said Eagles head coach Joe Gamache. “They bring it for an entire game. They were a little more physical than us throughout, but I thought our kids hung in and battled for 44 minutes.”
Franklin Tech held the Wildcats (2-0) in check for the first 11 minutes but Lee’s D stopped an Eagles drive in the red zone when Ben Harding picked off Franklin Tech sophomore backup quarterback Tony Govan Jr. and returned it the 27 yards late in the opening period.
Lee proceeded to drive 73 yards on eight plays for the game’s first score. Junior signal-caller Homer Winston turned the corner on a keeper and scampered 18 yards into the end zone for the touchdown, and Will Consolati added the point-after kick for a 7-0 Lee lead with 8:17 in the half.
After their defense forced a three-and-out, the Wildcats went up top for their next score. Facing a third-and-9 from its own 29, Winston dropped back and spotted Harding as he got a step ahead of his defender. Winston lofted a perfect pass to the 6-5 receiver, who hauled it in and outraced the pursuit for a 71-yard touchdown. Nico Chacon took his turn as placekicker and booted the PAT for a 14-0 lead with 4:49 left.
Franklin Tech (1-1) responded with a score of its own two plays and exactly one minute later, as senior fullback Spencer Telega broke loose for a 62-yard TD run on the Eagles’ second play from scrimmage. The 2-point rush attempt failed, leading the score 14-6.
Govan Jr. picked off Winston at midfield and then drove the Eagles into the red zone in the final minute of the half. Lee’s defense stiffened and Franklin Tech committed a costly penalty, eventually turning the ball over on downs after the fourth-down play came up 4 yards short.
Winston tried to lead the Wildcats on another scoring drive late in the half, but he intercepted for the second time in the period, this time by linebacker Chris Ludwig.
The second quarter took nearly an hour-and-a-half to complete due to two injuries suffered by Eagles. After the first play of the period, senior Lucas Bird was treated for a right leg injury, and with nine seconds remaining in the half, Joel Farrick suffered head and rib injuries. Both players were transported by ambulance to Baystate Franklin Medical Center, and the delays lasted approximately 50 minutes in total.
Gamache said on Sunday that both players were treated and later released.
Young (13 carries, 62 yards) actually suffered an ankle injury on the final play of the half, but he had the ankle taped up and returned after sitting out the first drive of the second half.
The Wildcats broke the game open with a pair of third-quarter scores against the depleted Franklin Tech defense.
Lee’s D forced a three-and-out on the Eagles’ opening drive of the half, them drove 58 yards and just five plays to go up 21-6, as Andrew Reuf took it in from 1 yard out. Consolati added the successful PAT kick.
The Wildcat D picked off Govan Jr. on fourth-and-2, taking over at its own 30, then drove 70 yards in 10 plays to extend the advantage to 27-6. Lukas Loeho (17 carries, 145 yards) ripped off a 40-yard gain to the Franklin Tech 6 to set up first and goal, but two penalities pushed Lee back to the 21. Finally on fourth-and-goal from the 16, Winston found receiver Jake Corcoran just behind the defense and lofted a pass to him in the end zone for the TD. Franklin Tech blocked the PAT.
As talented as the Wildcats’ backs are, Gamache said their success can be traced to a strong performance up front.
“Their backs are great runners, but their offensive line was the key to success in their running game in my opinion,” he said. “They were tough, physical, and never stopped moving their feet.”
Govan Jr. tried to bring the Eagles back after returning the ensuing kickoff 38 yards, then breaking a 36-yard TD run on fourth-and-8 to close the gap to 27-12, but Lee put an end to that comeback attempt when they recovered an onside kick and drove 53 yards in seven plays to put it away with 2:30 remaining. Winston scored for the second time on the ground, this time from 4 yards out, and Consolati’s PAT split the uprights.
Winston finished with 60 yards on 6 carries, and completed of 6 of 13 passes for 136 yards and two TDs. He was picked off twice.
Telega rushed 14 times for 108 yards to lead the Eagles. Govan Jr. added 77 yards on seven totes, but struggled through the air (0-for-5, 2 interceptions).
Gamache was noncommittal on Govan, who started in place of senior Seth Aldrich, who watched the game in street clothes as a healthy scratch (coach’s decision).
“Tony played well,” said Gamache. “He made some great plays and is a great athlete. We will see what next week brings.”
Gamache said his squad will hopefully rest up, ice up, and have a solid week of preparation leading up to their IL North opener Friday night at Easthampton High School.