Quarterback Kent Hanson took over the Greylock offense and led the team to a 16-0 win over Lee High School for the Division III crown.
WESTFIELD, Mass. — Mount Greylock Regional High School's football dominance continued Saturday with the team's second consecutive perfect season and Division III Super Bowl championship.
The championship did not come easy for the Mounties as they fought off the Lee Wildcats in a defensive bout at Westfield State University. The teams traded possessions for most of the first half but neither could find the end zone.
Lee sent blitz after blitz and made hit after hit to shut down the Mounties' running backs until Greylock's last drive of the half. The Mounties then let senior quarterback Kent Hanson take over the running game and he led the team to a 42-yard scoring drive. Hanson capped that drive off with a one-yard touchdown run for the game's first score with 23 seconds left in the half. Greylock headed into half time with an 8-0 lead.
"The onslaught of Lee's blitzing was just continuous and we felt we would soften them up when we would spread the field or run Kent out on sprint outs," coach Shawn Flaherty said after the game. "It was tough to establish our running game against them and you have to go with what was working."
To start the second half, Lee's offense started to come to alive behind runningback Nate Burratto as they drove down the field but fell short when they failed to convert a fake punt on 4th down from the 44-yard-line. The defensive stands from both teams took the game into the final quarter with Hanson's touchdown being the only points.
With just short of four minutes remaining in the game, Greylock thought they had sealed the championship when junior runningback Ethan Ryan broke into the end zone but it was called back for an illegal block.
By using all their time outs to stop the clock, Lee positioned themselves for a final offensive chance if they could hold Greylock on a 3rd and goal from the 8-yard-line. But, with only 1:31 remaining, Ryan scampered in for a game-sealing touchdown and put the Mounties up 16-0.
"We know Lee is always playing it tough. They've just improved from week to week to week. This was just a hard fought battle," Flaherty said.
Hanson topped the statistical charts with 100 yards rushing, 20 yards throwing and a touchdown. Ryan ended with 48 yards on the ground and 15 yards receiving.
"You just go out there and see what the defense gives you and run hard," Hanson said. "I never even dreamed of this happening."
Runningback Ethan Ryan ran in an eight yard touchdown in the final minutes to secure the second consecutive championship for the Mounties.
While Hanson may have been the offensive star, Mount Greylock's defense held Lee to just 83 total yards and intercepted quarterback Cam Keenan twice.
"I think that's been the secret to our success all year long and again, they just came up big. They just did a fantastic job," Flaherty said. "I'm definitely defense first and it was great to finish the season with a shut out."
The two teams share similar game plans. Each kept primarily to the ground on offensive and emphasized defense so there was not much for the highlight reels. But in the trenches, the two fought ferociously and Greylock made sure to give credit to those on the line.
"Our line came and played hard offensively and defensively. Kent just took over. He played really well," Ryan said while holding the championship trophy after the game. "This is the best feeling in the world. Words just don't describe it."
The feeling is one many of the players have felt before. Mount Greylock has not lost in 26 consecutive games and Saturday's win earned them their second championship in that time. Last year, Mount Greylock defeated Athol 34-14 to win their first championship since the 2000 season.
"I think we're tied for the longest winning streak in the Massachusetts right now with Duxbury and its just incredible. It's incredible the amount of work and the effort that the team has put in," Flaherty said.
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How awesome is this? The team that I once helped coach and the played on. The amazing journey of Mounties football began with legendary coach John Allen and continues to grow.
