Wahconah Gets Rivalry Win over Hamp

DALTON, Mass. – The Wahconah football team secured its first win of the season with a 32-8 victory over rival Northampton on Friday.

 

The two teams battled for the Route 9 Trophy, and Wahconah was determined not to hand it over this year. After a tough 0-2 start, this rivalry game provided just the spark Wahconah needed to get its season rolling.

 

The offense came out firing on all cylinders, led by quarterback Gio Venable, who threw for 172 yards and three touchdowns, including the opening score, a 30-yard strike to Trevion Hawkins for a 6-0 lead. Venable also added 76 rushing yards and another touchdown, finishing with four total scores on the night.

 

“Gio is a tip of the iceberg kid,” said Wahconah head coach Gary Campbell Jr. “This is his first year playing varsity quarterback. Once I get him to read these pre-snap plays, he already has the arm and accuracy to be special.”

 

Wahconah’s defense then set the tone, forcing a quick punt that the offense turned into a two-play, 65-yard touchdown drive. The defense stood tall again late in the first quarter, stopping Northampton on downs. Venable and the offense answered with an 11-play drive, capped off by his 9-yard rushing touchdown, giving Wahconah a 20-0 lead they never relinquished.

 

“Our challenge from the beginning was to control the line of scrimmage,” Campbell said. “They have some big boys up front, and both their quarterback and running back can run the ball well. But our line did a great job tonight, giving us time to throw, and I think we were balanced nicely.”

 

At halftime, Wahconah led, 20-0, and continued to control the game in the second half. It moved the ball effectively through the air when needed, but also leaned on the run game to chew clock. Venable threw his fourth touchdown of the night, a 13-yard pass to Dawson Hitchcock, before Anthony Talora closed things out with a 2-yard rushing score. Talora finished with 52 yards, most of them coming in the third quarter.

 

Northampton managed a late consolation touchdown, but it was all smiles on the Wahconah sideline as the team celebrated keeping the Route 9 Trophy.

 

“It was very important to win this game,” Campbell said. “You have to beat your rivals, and we were so happy to win this trophy. This thing goes back to the ‘60s, so it is a big deal.”

 

With the rivalry win in hand, Wahconah now shifts its focus to another challenge as they head on the road to face Pittsfield next week.