by Kevin McCaskill Jr.
9/24/22 * 1:30 PM
(EAST LONGMEADOW) - The Spartans of East Longmeadow HS hosted the Colts from Chicopee Comp. Friday night’s matchup was East Longmeadow’s second home game in consecutive weeks. The Spartans shutout both of their opponents before Friday (Taconic & South Hadley); the Colts were still looking for their first win.
The Spartans first possession ended when QB Shane Becker threw an INT that was returned to the 5 yard line. The Colts were stopped on their 1st three downs. They attempted a FG but the try was no good.
On East Longmeadow’s next offensive possession, they consistently ran the ball. RB Dominick Gamelli got a majority of the carries on Friday. He is fast and has good vision for picking running lanes. The Spartans also used the “flip pass” play for successful gains in the game. Becker calls a WR to go into motion, gets the snap and flips the ball to the WR in motion who is crossing in front of him. Conner Robidoux scored on that type of play 👇🏾. EL lead early 7-0.
Chicopee Comp answered immediately. The Spartans kicked the ball of, which was caught by Comp’s Ja’Cyion Cox. He evaded multiple defenders and broke a few tackles and sprinted toward the endzone for a TD. Comp missed the EP; East Longmeadow was still ahead 7-6.
The second quarter was closely contested. The Colts defense stopped the Spartans on 4th down twice. After the first 4th down stop, the Colts scored their second TD. QB Calvin Kagan threw a short pass to Cox on the left side of the field. Spartans DB Jake Robidoux closed on the ball and he looked like he had an interception. Cox snatched the ball away from Robidoux, broke three tackles and ran down the sideline for a TD. The Colts 2-pt attempt was unsuccessful; they led 12-7.
The Colts held the Spartans run game down for the rest of the quarter. Chicopee Comp led at halftime 12-7.
The third quarter was dominated by Conner Robidoux. He intercepted Calvin Kagan; he intercepted Cox, who also takes snaps @ the QB position. Cox was under pressure and launched a pass over the middle of the field. The pass hung in the air, got tipped and was caught by Robidoux. Robidoux returned the INT for a TD. The Spartans missed their EP attempt but still regained the lead 13-12.
The Colts were forced to punt on the next possession. The punt only went 9 yards. It set up the Spartans up with great field position. Gamelli scored on a 5 yard TD run.
That put the Spartans up 20-12.
Chicopee Comp fumbled and the fumble was recovered by C. Robidoux. EL HC Mike Morrisino said, “There’s nothing [Robidoux] can’t do on the football field…” The 4 impact plays he made in the 3rd quarter - 2 INTs, 1 return TD, 1 fumble recovery - was the difference in this game.
In the 4th quarter, EL added to their lead. Preston Longo scored two TDs to close out the Colts. The Spartans forced another fumble which was recovered by Franco Guimares.
After a tough battle in the first half, the Spartans won comfortably 34-12.
Both teams are on the road next week: Chicopee Comp (0-3) goes out to Wilbraham to play Minnechaug Regional; East Longmeadow (0-4) travels west to Dalton, to take on Wahconah Regional.