TURNERS FALLS — For the first time since 2015, the Franklin Tech football team is an outright Intercounty North league champion. The Eagles secured the new addition to the banner with 36-6 win over Mahar Regional under the lights on Friday night.
“A lot of our upperclassmen,” Franklin Tech coach Joe Gamache said. “When they are done they will be the winningest team in program history. Last year’s team was and it continues to build each year. We’ve been fortunate to have good leaders the last few years. That’s attributed to our success overall.”
Harry Doody of Mahar Regional runs through the defense against Franklin Tech, Friday in Turners Falls. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Hunter Donahue of Franklin Tech runs down the sideline against Mahar, Friday in Turners Falls. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Carter Hardy of Mahar runs toward the end zone against Franklin Tech, Friday in Turners Falls. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo 
Carter Hardy of Mahar stretches for the pylon against Franklin Tech, Friday in Turners Falls. Credit: ADAM HARGRAVES / Staff Photo
The plucky Senators did not make it easy on the Eagles in the early going. After a Carter Hardy 8-yard touchdown run, the game was tied with eight minutes, six second left in the second quarter. But Franklin Tech took advantage of some mistakes from the Senators to pull away in the second half.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the guys,” Mahar coach Kyle Newton said. “The first half was awesome. Even through the third quarter. We hung with them. But we are a young team. We still made the mistakes we’ve been making all year.”
A huge defensive play turned the game around for Franklin Tech. Trailing 12-6, Mahar had possession after the intermission. Freeland Ringer went back to pass from the Franklin Tech 44-yard line but was intercepted by Jaxon Silva, who returned the pick 67 yards down to Mahar’s 8-yard line.
Two plays later Brady Gancarz rushed for a 5-yard touchdown, giving Franklin Tech a 20-6 lead. The running back finished with 11 carries for 147 yards and two touchdowns for the Eagles. Gancarz had a 69-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
“At halftime we came together really nicely and talked as a team,” Gancarz said. “We just worked together. Pretty much all the guys just came together. Being there for each other every day. Working hard.”
Franklin Tech ranks 11th in the MIAA Division 8 power rankings. The Eagles most likely will play a road game.
“The hope is that we can refocus and make a postseason run of some sort,” Gamache said. “Obviously that loss to Hull will put us on the road, but it is what it is. We have to go somewhere and play someone. Hopefully they take the preparation really seriously and are ready to go.”
Mason Bassett found Nolyn Stafford for a 15-yard touchdown on Franklin Tech’s opening drive. The drive went six plays and 67 yards. Hardy’s touchdown tied the game in the second quarter. With 23 seconds left until halftime, Bassett scored on a two-yard keeper.
Bassett connected with Hunter Donahue for a 47-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. Donahue had an interception on Mahar’s next offensive possession. Franklin Tech honored a sizable senior class before the game, giving recognition to 13 players.
Frontier 49, Ludlow 12 — Frontier ran wild in a home over the Lions in South Deerfield. With a prolific performance against the Lions which included over 200 yards and two touchdowns, Noah Poreda finds himself within striking distance of 1,000 yards for the season.
Volleyball
Turners Falls 3, Ware 2 — The Thunder held off the Indians in a five set victory in Montague. Set scores were 25-23, 17-25, 24-26, 25-17 and 15-11. Abby Moffatt had 23 digs while Maddie Haight contributed four kills, six digs and six assists.
Athol 3, Hampden Charter 2 — The Bears outlasted the Wolves at Mallet Gymnasium. Set scores were 15-25, 25-18, 19-25, 25-19 and 15-13. Giana Vaillancourt had an excellent all-around match with 11 kills, 10 assists and 16 digs. Maddie Desrosiers added seven kills for the Bears.
Boys soccer
Athol 4, Holyoke 1 — Nathan Parayson scored twice for the Bears in the win over the Purple Knights at O’Brien Field. Lucas L’Ecuyer and Ralle Anderson also scored. Drake Wing made six saves in net. Parayson and Bryce Archambault had assists.
Girls soccer
Mahar 1, Athol 0 — The Senators edged the Bears at the Woodward Complex behind a goal by Lexi Ares. Jaya McBroom and Mackenzie Matthews combined on the shutout. Ava Adams made 18 saves for the Bears.
Late Thursday results
Volleyball
Taconic 3, Frontier 1 — The Thunder grabbed a road win over the Redhawks at Goodnow Gymnasium. Grace Baronas (six kills) and Aimee Talbott (eight kills) led the hitting effort for Frontier. Kesenia Miller had seven digs to shore up the defensive effort.
Mahar 3, Westfield 2 — Madelynn Burgess had 20 assists, five aces and four kills for the Senators in their road win over the Bombers. Kamryn Hart had an excellent all-around match with 12 digs and six kills. Serenity Packard led the offense with seven kills. Set scores were 21-25, 25-16, 17-25, 25-26 and 15-8.
