The Pioneer Valley Regional volleyball team went into the archives to find an opponent for Homecoming Weekend on Saturday. Unable to schedule a Western League opponent for the celebration, the Panthers tapped into graduates from years past for an Alumni Match at Messer Gymnasium.
The ensuing contest brought together decades worth of Pioneer volleyball players to play with the current varsity squad in a historic event in Northfield.
Among the alumni returning to the court was Linda Shedd, a 1983 graduate, who went on to coach both volleyball and softball at Pioneer. Her daughter, Debbie Shedd, a 2003 graduate, also returned to represent the Panthers. The alumni roster also featured Kelly Kielbania, a 1992 graduate and Beth Johnson, a 1991 graduate.
“The inaugural event proved that Pioneer volleyball is more than just one season or one team—it is a tradition that spans generations,” Pioneer coach Shannon Connolly said. “What began as an idea to fill a Homecoming schedule spot has now become an event the program hopes to make an annual tradition, bringing former and current Panthers together for years to come.”
Greta Lewis coached the current Panthers team for the match. Lewis tore her ACL and is sidelined this season for Pioneer. The Panthers are 4-4 this season.
Youth football
Franklin County Bulldogs 36, South Hadley 14 — The Bulldogs knocked off the previously unbeaten Tigers on Sunday. The Bulldogs started the scoring when Benjamin Woodard hit Avery Lococo for a 25-tard touchdown. After Jackson Puchalski’s conversion, the Bulldogs led 7-0 after the first quarter. Puchalski added a 10-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
Puchalski continued his strong performance with a 47-yard interception return for a touchdown. Woodard had a 2-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter for the Bulldogs.
Woodard found Lococo for a 24-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, giving the Bulldogs a 36-6. Lococo finished the day with 154 all-purpose yards for the Bulldogs.
Leading the defensive effort was Puchalski, who finished with seven tackles. Woodard added five tackles and broke up a pass. Louis Burek had two sacks. The Bulldogs (4-0) have a showdown with Frontier in South Deerfield on Sunday.
South Hadley 16, Franklin County Bulldogs (Juniors) 8 — Orion Ortiz scored for the Bulldogs in loss to the Tigers on Sunday. Brock Puchalski scored on the conversion. Justin Martin and Zion Carter ran the ball effectively, while Silas Tefft finished with six tackles for the defense. Weston Hobbs had an interception.
Franklin County Bulldogs (Pee-wee) 16, South Hadley 7 — Junior Eady rushed for 80 yards and a touchdown in the with for the Bulldogs. Remmy Verdery had 67 yards on the ground, with 56 yards coming on one explosive play. Verdery also caught two conversions. Eady led the defensive effort with two tackles, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Oliver Avery (five tackles) and Cody Castine (four tackles) also helped shore up the defense.
Greenfield Touch Football
Blitzing Bears 12, Tar Heels 6 — Gabe Fernandez fired two touchdown passes to Evan Graham in the Bears’ win over the Tar Heels. Raekwon Hubbard found Michael Wiggins for a 17-yard touchdown to account for the scoring for the Tar Heels.
Gill Woodworking 20, Sirum 6 — Pat Viencek threw touchdown passes to Adam Bastarache, Jalen Sanders, and Tyson Dowdy to lead the defending champions to a victory. Sirum got a 12-yard touchdown from Chris Hart to Parker Hickey in the loss.
J&J Athletics 36, Firebirds 0 — Mak Rodgers hit CJ Daignault and Pat Clancy for multiple touchdowns in the win for J&J Athletics. Dan Lyra and Adam Ostrerow also scored in the victory.
Running
In the Conway Covered Bridge Classic 10K, Henry Domnarski and Abby Mahoney emerged victorious in the male and female categories. Montague’s Michael Keebler placed second overall.
In the female 60-69 category, JoEllen Reino (South Deerfield) and Jennifer Mullins (Conway) placed first and second, respectively. In the male 70-79 category, Bob Austin of Turners Falls placed first. Mike Duffy of Shelburne Falls was third. Peter Gagarin of Sunderland outlasted the competition in the 80-89 category. Frontier Regional’s Samuel Carter finished in 45 minutes for a first-place finish in the 18-U category.
Shelburne Falls Bowling Alley
Sunday Scotch Doubles: High Single – Scott Schneider & Kendall Schneider 110; High Triple – Scott Schneider & Kendall Schneider 316; Monday Mixed League: Women’s High Single – Tera Tippett and Laurie Lafreniere 97; Women’s High Triple – Tera Tippett 266; Men’s High Single – Cody Brunelle 128; Men’s High Triple – Chris Lafreniere 314; Tuesday Mixed League: Women’s High Single – Tera Tippett 138; Women’s High Triple – Tera Tippett 321; Men’s High Single – David Waxman 106; Men’s High Triple – Steve St. Pierre 289 Wednesday Mixed League: Women’s High Single – Karen Herzog 97; Women’s High Triple – Karen Herzog 271; Men’s High Single – Erich Price 117; Men’s High Triple – Erich Price 292 Thursday Mixed League: Women’s High Single – Ali Moffatt 103; Women’s High Triple – Colleen Barrows 296; Men’s High Single – Jon Tibbetts 130; Men’s High Triple – Matt Gilbert 345.
Golf
Country Club of Greenfield
Two-Person Scramble Championship: Findlay Flight–Total Gross
1–Clint McCloud, Justin McCloud 127; 2–Mike Archer, Roy Emerson (133); Barton Flight–Total Gross: 1–Connor Merrigan, Mike McGoldrick 140; T2 –Denis Depault, Jim Beres 147; T2–Jack Killeen, Lou LaPlante, 147; Findlay Flight–Total Net: 1–Chris Varilly, Rich Young 128; 2–John Dempsey, Michael Duclos 129; Barton Flight–Total Net: 1–Matt Grover, Steven Patenaude 129; T2 –Daniel Bassett, Jim Bassett (130); T2–Jacob Kelton, Jordan Loughman 130; Women–Total Gross: 1–Sam Smith, Valerie Esquer 133: 2–Nancy Robie, Sue O’Connor 152; Women–Total Net: 1 – Elizabeth Archer, TC Emerson 121; 2–Karen Duclos, Nancy Donoghue 122.
Thomas Memorial
Lundgren Honda / Bobby C’s Annual Golf Tournament for Needy Families: Results – 1. Dave Hastings, Vincent Funari, Garrett Plifka, Matt Orrell, 58; 2. Marty Kendrick, Scott Smith, Parker Hickey, Chuckie St. Hilaire, 61; Closest to the Pin: Mike Dufresne on the third (2 feet, 8 inches); Closest to the Line: Marty Kendrick.
Hole in One
Chris Bazluke nailed his first career ace on the eighth hole at the Lundgren Honda / Bobby C’s Annual Golf Tournament for Needy Families on October 4.
