by Kevin McCaskill Jr.
10/22/22 * 2:30 PM
Updated 10/25/22 * 2:22 PM
(AGAWAM) - The PVIAC Suburban South Division provided another good game on Friday night. East Longmeadow HS travelled west to Agawam HS. Both teams came into this game after losing last week: East Longmeadow lost at home to Northampton; Agawam lost at West Springfield. Each team needed a win. Also, Agawam won the last two matchups against East Longmeadow in 2021.
The first few possessions for each team ended in punts. Neither team could get there offense going. That changed for East Longmeadow later in the 1st quarter. East Longmeadow QB Shane Becker threw some nice passes on their scoring drive. WR/RB Preston Longo made a one-handed catch on the drive. A couple plays later, Becker hit Longo with a short pass that Longo took to the endzone. The EP attempt was successful. East Longmeadow led 7-0.
(One-handed catch by Preston Longo)
(Becker to Longo for pass TD)
Before the end of the 1st quarter, Agawam fumbled on offense and East Longmeadow recovered the ball at the Agawam 25-yard line.
That fumble recovery set East Longmeadow up for their next TD. Becker got the snap and handed the ball to RB Dominick Gamelli. Gamelli ran the ball to the left side, found a lane and sprinted to the endzone. The EP kick was good; East Longmeadow led 14-0 early in the 2nd quarter.
(Dominick Gamelli scores his 1st run TD of the game)
Agawam had a chance to get on the scoreboard before the end of the 2nd quarter. They got a defensive pass interference call that gave them an opportunity at a FG. They missed the FG.
East Longmeadow was up 14-0 at halftime.
East Longmeadow tacked on two more TDs in the 3rd and 4th quarters. Becker scored on a QB run after a fake handoff to the RB; Gamelli found the endzone again for another rushing TD.
(Dominick Gamelli scores his 2nd TD of the game)
Agawam RB Jaedyn Perez scored a late run TD to avoid the shutout.
The Agawam offense was stifled by the East Longmeadow defense all night. The defense is led by Senior DE Nick Ferguson. Ferguson is one of the best defensive ends in the MIAA. He pursues the ball relentlessly, whether its a pass or run play. He also has good instincts on stripping the ball from QBs and recovering the ball. EL HC Mike Morrisino said Ferguson was, “a huge difference maker” on Friday night.
(Tackle for loss by Nick Ferguson)
Even though Ferguson is the standout, the entire East Longmeadow defense plays hard. When the Spartans play well on offense and defense, they are hard to stop.
(Tackle for loss by Jacob Miller)
East Longmeadow beat Agawam 28-7.
East Longmeadow is now 6-1 and they play Amherst at home next Friday. Agawam is 4-3 and travels north to Hampshire County to take on Northampton.
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