Just weeks after graduating from high school, several local football standouts have at least one more game left before college this evening, when the Western Massachusetts Senior Bowl kicks off at 7 at Abdow Field on the campus of American International College in Springfield.
It’s the second consecutive year of the event after WMass experienced a four-year hiatus from football all-star games. From 2001 until 2013, there was the Central-West Chowder Cup football game that raised awareness for the Shriners Hospitals for Children. That event folded following the 2013 edition due to a decrease in interest and lack of agreement in future plans.
Last year’s game was held at South Hadley High School, where The Hills team, comprised primarily of players from Franklin County and Berkshire County schools, defeated The Valley team, loaded with Hampden and Hampshire County stars, 33-10.
Wahconah Regional High School coach Gary Campbell will guide The Hills for the second consecutive year. The team has been practicing since Sunday at The Oxbow in Northampton in preparation for tonight’s game.
Frontier Regional School standout tailback Aaron Landry is one of several area graduates on The Hills, and he said the experience of joining forces with former opponents has been enjoyable.
“It’s been really cool,” began Landry, who is playing football next year at Division III Ripon College in Wisconsin. “To play against some of these kids for the last four years, hit them in the mouth on the field, then come here and be on the other side with them now. To practice with them, run an offense and defense with them, it’s been a different experience, but a really great one.”
Greenfield defensive tackle Marty Brown, who is hoping to play collegiately at Framingham State University next year, agreed.
“It’s actually really cool to play against some of these kids, now come out and play with them,” he offered. “I have respect for all of them. They’re all very good players.”
With just one week of practice before tonight’s game, the preparation has been kept relatively simple for The Hills. Landry said he was impressed with his team’s ability to grasp the schematic plan right away.
“A lot of us picked it up really quickly, the first day or two, and we’ve been working to perfect it and master it,” Landry said of the system installed. “I think we all have a good understanding of what they’re asking us to do. Now, it’s just a matter of going out and doing it on the field.”
Landry will see reps at tailback tonight, and he’ll be joined on the squad by Frontier teammates Joe Hildreth (Castleton State University) and Stephen Worthley (Westfield State University).
“I’m just looking to have a good time with all these kids,” explained Landry of the game itself. “It’s really cool to play with two of my fellow seniors because we’re not playing college ball together. We’re all going to different schools so to hit heads with them one more time, it’s going to be a blast.”
The defensive line for The Hills has a decidedly local flare. Brown is joined by Greenfield teammate Laz Santiago as well as Athol High School’s Kris Selanis and Frontier’s Hildreth.
“It’s cool to be able to play since Suburban (football) with this kid, then play our last high school game together,” explained Brown of Santiago. “Even though we’re not playing on Greenfield together, it’s still going to be cool.”
Athol’s Robbie Nelson and Noah Giuffre are also on the roster for The Hills.
Holyoke High School coach Joe Dutsar will lead the Valley squad. Players from the likes of West Springfield High School, East Longmeadow High School and Springfield Central High School are on that roster.
“I think we have a really good shot,” Landry said. “Coach (Campbell) has been telling us all week how last year, The Valley thought they’d come in and smack The Hills so that got us fired up trying to keep it going.”
Brown said he’s hoping to help The Hills win for a second consecutive year.
“Winning’s always the objective, but having fun is very important,” admitted Brown. “I think it’ll be fun, win or lose, but I really want to win.”
The Bianchi-Barbarotta Foundation, rooted in Berkshire County, is sponsoring the event and was expected to purchase uniforms for the seniors participating in the event. In last year’s inaugural event, players wore their high school jerseys. They’ll still wear high school helmets during the game.