TURNERS FALLS — Two blocked punts in the first quarter underscored a dominating Franklin Tech performance in a Friday night shutout victory over McCann Tech.
The Eagles, led by the running back duo of senior Ryan Demers and sophomore Josiah Little, raced out to a 24-0 lead just 10 minutes into the first quarter and never looked back as they locked down the Hornets 44-0 to open their season with an independent win.
“The kids came to play. They did very well on both sides of the ball,” said Franklin Tech head coach Joe Gamache, highlighting the performances of his offensive line and defense. “All in all, I’m pleased with the efforts, nothing to really be disappointed about.”
Franklin Tech’s offense ran efficiently under the command of sophomore Gabriel Tomasi, as each first-quarter touchdown drive – most starting in Hornets territory – lasted only four plays before the Eagles found the end zone.
A botched handoff on their second drive, however, did give the Hornets the ball back. The ensuing McCann possession was short-lived, though, as the Eagles blocked their second punt and scored four plays later to take a 14-0 lead. Demers then punched one more in from 15 yards out to extend the lead to 24-0.
In the second quarter, Little reached the end zone on back-to-back drives with 14- and 16-yard touchdown runs that put the Eagles up 36-0 at halftime. Little finished the night with two touchdowns and 119 yards on 13 carries, while Demers scored three touchdowns with 126 yards on 8 carries.
Talking about the offensive trio of Little, Tomasi and Demers, Gamache said the two underclassmen put in a “lot of work in the offseason” and are ready to build off their freshman years, while Demers is looking to close out his high school career with a strong senior season.
“They’re not satisfied with the success they had at the end of last year,” Gamache said. “Ryan Demers had a huge night for us running the ball and defensively, I think he’s hungry, too.”
Next Friday, the Eagles will continue their independent schedule when they take on Chicopee at home. They’ll travel to Groton-Dunstable Regional High School the following week and open Intercounty League North play on Sept. 30 against Mahar.
“We’re going to be tested here the next couple of weeks,” Gamache said. “I think the league is going to be kind of wide open and it should be a lot of fun. We’ll be ready when we get there.”
Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.