It’s going to be quite a night in South Deerfield this Friday.
After the release of the MIAA statewide football brackets on Sunday, the Frontier Regional football team learned it will host a playoff game in the Division 8 tournament.
It will be the first time in program history that the Red Hawks will host a state tournament game. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
“I am so proud of this collection of upperclassmen,” Frontier coach Scott Dredge said. “They are such great kids. The core of them has been playing football together since Pee Wees. They have stayed together and they’re special. They truly are in it for each other.
The Red Hawks drew the No. 8 seed and will play No. 9 KIPP Academy Lynn Collegiate. The Panthers (3-5) are from Eastern Mass. near Boston. Last season, the Panthers made the Division 8, Round of 16, before a 27-6 loss to Bourne.
“We are just happy to host a game,” Scott Dredge said. “The goal once we realized we could be in the tournament was hosting. Which is fantastic for us.”
The Red Hawks (8-0, 5-0 Intercounty South) defeated Ludlow on the road, 39-0, in their final game of the season on Oct. 30th. The victory capped an undefeated regular season in addition to their league championship. The victory also marked a massive statistical accomplishment for a pair of running backs. Both Garrett Dredge and Brady Poreda went over 1,000 yards rushing in the game.
The last time two players went over 1,000 yards for the Red Hawks was 2017. Both Aaron Landry and Steve Worthley went over 1,000 that season. At the time, it was a feat that did seem like it could be duplicated again. But that all changed this season.
“The first time this happened I thought it was pretty special,” Scott Dredge said. “We had plaques made to put in school about it. Just to think it would happen again and have my son be a part of that. It’s like a dream.”
Garrett Dredge rushed for 165 yards and four touchdowns against Ludlow while Poreda finished with 112 yards. While the running backs get the yard and touchdowns, the offensive line plays a pivotal role in the Frontier offense.
“They have been instrumental,” Scott Dredge said. “In keeping the blocks sustained so that the guys can find room. When the ball gets out into space, they are very talented. The fact that we pulled this off again, it’s magic, I love it.”
The Red Hawks recently had the lights go out in game against Springfield International Charter School. There was a question about whether or not new parts would be delivered with time to fix before the tournament game. The parts arrived on Monday so the lights should be good to go for Friday’s kickoff.
Dredge finished the season with 1,003 yards rushing. While Poreda finished with 1,001 yards. Both players went to the bench after reaching the milestone.
“I pulled them from the game so they could rest and get any lost yardage or anything,” Scott Dredge said. “I wanted them to both have 1,000.”
The Red Hawks played through the rain that night against Ludlow. Frontier prepared accordingly.
“We had a bucket of water,” Scott Dredge said. “We put the football in the water. Everyone had the chance to handle a wet ball.”
Frontier played offense exclusively on the ground in the win.
The MIAA also announced non-playoff games for Franklin County: Mahar will travel to Commerce, Franklin Tech will host Northampton, Greenfield travels to Smith Vocational and Athol will go on the road to play McCann Tech.
The Franklin Tech game against Northampton is Thursday at 7 p.m.
No. 2 Franklin Tech will also host No. 7 Cape Cod Tech in the quarterfinals of the MVADA State Vocational Playoffs on Nov. 15 at 3 p.m.
