H.S. football: Amherst runs past Greenfield for second straight win

AMHERST — Jonathan Aviles-Roman got his opportunity for the Amherst football team on Thursday night. Aviles-Roman responded with the best game of his high school career in a 28-0 win over Greenfield at wet and humid Community Field.

The junior running back rushed for 122 yards on 12 carries with three touchdowns.

“I felt really nervous but once I got in there, I just took one for my team,” Aviles-Roman said. “Made sure we were all set and took this dub.”

Aviles-Roman opened the scoring on a 30-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter. A 58-yard rush in the second quarter set up a 2-yard touchdown.

“When I hit the outside, I saw the open,” Aviles-Roman said. “I Just took that. I just need to show up and be there for my team.”

Running back Brady Klaes missed the game with a lower body injury. Klaes’ status for return is still undetermined. The play of Aviles-Roman was not a surprise for the Hurricanes.

“It’s expected,” Amherst coach Jack Putala said. “He has a lot to work on, but he has a desire to compete. He runs hard. Tries to do things the right way. I am proud of him, but it’s completely expected.”

Meanwhile the Hurricanes’ defense completely stifled the Green Wave offense. Greenfield managed just two first downs on the night. Allan Alfandari had two sacks for the Amherst defense. Yousof Elfawal and Wyatt Cook also had sacks for the Hurricanes.

“We sealed the gaps and sealed the outside,” Alfandari said. “Came back in the second half and kept getting them back. We just have to keep doing our responsibilities.”

Greenfield’s lone highlight came on a 43-yard kickoff return by Kymel Ramsey. Aviles-Roman scored again in the third quarter on a 3-yard touchdown. Coy Dane returned a punt 54 yards before fumbling forward toward the Greenfield end zone. Landen Wood jumped on the football, allowing Amherst to retain possession at the 3-yard line.

Later in the third quarter, Jackson Bajnoci found Coy for a 13-yard reception down to the Greenfield 2-yard line. Coy scored on a jet sweep for the Hurricanes. Amherst got possession at the Greenfield 16-yard line after a failed fake punt by Greenfield.

Greenfield, now 1-1, is looking for answers after being blanked. Xavier Woodard recovered a fumble for the Green Wave.

“We’ll figure it out,” Greenfield coach Jeff Bengtson said. “Either we will or we won’t. Need some upperclassmen to step up and be leaders.”

Coy went 4-for-4 kicking extra points for the Hurricanes.

Field hockey

Longmeadow 5, Greenfield 0 — The Lancers shut out the Green Wave (0-3) in Longmeadow in a Suburban league matchup. Longmeadow had five different goalscorers in the victory.

Frontier 1, East Longmeadow 0 — An unassisted goal in the third quarter by Addie Harrington was the difference for the Redhawks in a road win over the Spartans in a Suburban league match up. Brooke Charest made three saves for Frontier (3-0).

Volleyball

Holyoke 3, Greenfield 2 — The Green Wave lost another five-set thriller against the Purple Knights in a road contest. Amy Mihailicenco had seven kills and three assists. Amelia Prescott had six kills, with Rose Fortin adding four assists.

Pioneer 3, Mohawk 1 — The Panthers won a Western matchup over the Warriors in Northfield. Kiara Gruszkowski had three aces, three digs and four kills for the Panthers. Sophia Wood led the defense with seven digs. Lana Gagnon and Serenity Brown led the offense with four assists each. Set scores were 25-9, 12-25, 27-25 and 25-22.

South Hadley 3, Athol 1 — The Tigers took down the Bears (2-2) at Mallet Gymnasium in an independent contest. Set scores were 23-25, 25-20, 25-22, 25-23. Giana Vaillancourt had 10 kills and eight digs for the Bears. Ella Reed had 12 assists.

Boys soccer

Quabbin 5, Athol 0 — The Bears only played a half due to the rain and lost to Quabbin at home in an independent contest. Drake Wing made nine saves for the Bears (2-1-2)

Girls soccer

Mahar 1, St. Mary’s 0 — Erin Parse scored unassisted with 19 minutes left in the game to give the Senators a Bi-County win over the Saints at the Woodward Complex. Mackenzie Matthews made two saves for Mahar (2-1-1).

Chicopee 8, Greenfield 0 — The Pacers handled the Green Wave (1-3) at home in a Pioneer North contest.

Pioneer 4, Smith Academy 0 — The Panthers (3-0) scored early to put away the Falcons in a Bi-County win in Northfield. Maddie Keefe netted a hat trick in the victory. Leah Potter stepped up from the defensive end to find the net for the Panthers. Jaelyn Boliski had an assist, with Avalyn Hall making three stops in net to pick up the shutout.

Golf

Pioneer 196, Athol 207 — Carter Gerry shot a 44 to lead the Panthers to a Bi-County East win over the Bears at Ellinwood Country Club. Weston Jones carded a 45 for Pioneer. Owen Stoddard took medalists honors for the Bears, shooting a 36.

Belchertown 169, Frontier 184 — Braiden Dion shot the low round for the Redhawks in a Suburban loss to the Orioles at Cold Spring Country Club. Dion finished his day with a 44. Christian Powell shot a 46, with Addy Wood and Jamie McCarthty both finishing with a 47.

Franklin Tech 151, Smith Vocational 171 — The Eagles won their seventh straight to open the season at Thomas Memorial. Jack Day was the medalist for the Eagles in the Bi-County Contest. Day finished with a 35. Brady Wood carded a 38 for Franklin Tech, with Grady Deery and Braeden Talbot both finishing with a 39.

Turners Falls 174, Mohawk 192 — Jameson Betters shot a 41 for the Thunder in a Bi-County East win over the Warriors at Country Club of Greenfield. Liam Kerivan and Cam Cogswell both shot a 43 for Turners Falls. Chayton Massa finished with a 43 for Mohawk, while Jacob Richardson ended up with a 45.

Late Wednesday results

Volleyball

Amherst 3, Frontier 0 — The Redhawks couldn’t stay with the Hurricanes in a road loss. Set scores were 25-14, 25-20, 25-13. Aimee Talbot had six kills for the Redhawks. Kaelyn Johnston led the defense with 15 digs.

Turners Falls 3, Drury 0 — Maddie Haight had six kills and four assists for the Thunder in the road win over the Blue Devils. Set scores were 25-17, 25-10, 25-20. Abby Moffat led the defense with five digs. Kaiya Adams had four aces, two kills and a dig. Autumn Thornton added four digs and three aces.