TURNERS FALLS — The good news for the Franklin County Technical School football team is there’s still one more game remaining this fall.
After Friday night’s 22-6 loss to McCann Tech, the Eagles have nearly two weeks to prepare for their Thanksgiving Day showdown with Smith Voke.
“It’ll be a nice opportunity to get back on the field on Thanksgiving and play some football,” Franklin Tech coach Joe Gamache said.
As for Friday night, the visiting Hornets imposed their will for three quarters of the independent tilt. Riding the legs of tailbacks David Delisle (16 carries, 126 yards) and Josh Brazeau (nine carries, 68 yards), McCann Tech struck for a pair of third-quarter touchdowns in a three-minute span to take a 22-0 lead just 5:37 into the second half.
Franklin Tech (3-7) rallied, and Hunter Wozniak pounced on a McCann Tech fumble later in the third quarter to give the Eagles possession at midfield.
Just four plays later, quarterback Owen Bashaw found tight end Colby Mailloux for a 31-yard touchdown pass over the middle that pulled the hosts back within 22-6 with 2:35 remaining.
Following a McCann Tech three-and-out, the Eagles put together a 15-play drive that lasted nearly the entire fourth quarter. Bashaw hit Donte Rosewarne for a 15-yard pick up that extended the drive, and the team converted two fourth downs to get into enemy territory.
A penalty negated what would have been a 39-yard touchdown pass from Bashaw to Rosewarne however, and the Hornets knocked a pair of Bashaw passes incomplete to quell the threat. The visitors iced the game on the ground on the ensuing possession to secure the victory.
“They were more physical than we were tonight,” Gamache said of McCann. “We battled but we waited until it was a little too late.”
The Hornets (6-3) led 6-0 at intermission, scoring the only points of the opening half on a Delisle 6-yard run midway through the first quarter.
Both teams employ similar styles — stout defenses and steady rushing attacks. The Hornets held a 243-113 edge in rushing yards, with Delisle breaking a 35-yard TD in the third quarter and Brazeau rumbling for a 26-yard score just minutes later to extend the advantage.
“We played our brand of football but they played their brand of football a little bit better,” said Gamache of the Hornets.
Ryan Bergmann led the Eagles with 61 yards on 16 carries in his first action carrying the ball since going down with an injury in Week 3. Ian McClure added 52 yards on 11 carries.
Bashaw finished the night 5-for-14 passing for 56 yards and the touchdown. Five different receivers caught his passes, with Noah Fuess, McClure, Mailloux, Rosewarne and Wozniak all contributing one reception apiece.
With nearly two weeks to prepare for the Vikings, Gamache & Co. are looking to turn the tides from last year’s loss in their inaugural Turkey Day meeting.
“Last year being the first time playing them on Thanksgiving, that left a bad taste in the kids’ mouths,” the coach offered. “They’re looking for redemption this year.”
Kickoff is set for 10 a.m. in Northampton on Nov. 28.