WESTFIELD – It was a night for the birds.
Minnechaug High senior quarterback Kyle Trombley rushed for two touchdowns and tossed another to lead the Falcons past the Westfield High School Bombers, 48-20, Friday night at Bullens Field.
It was a sharp contrast from the outset in comparison to the last two weeks when Westfield struggled to gain any momentum. The Bombers managed some nice drives.
The Westfield Bombers launch a pass against the Minnechaug Falcons Friday night at Bullens Field. (Photo by Michelle Hamel)
It took Westfield just five plays to score, and gain the upper hand. The Bombers hit paydirt just 1:56 into the opening quarter when junior quarterback Austin St. Pierre hit junior wide receiver Zachary Adam in stride streaking down the center of the field. Adam stumbled out of the grasp of a would-be tackler and galloped 56 yards for the touchdown.
Minnechaug responded two series later. The Falcons, taking advantage of a short field, needed just four plays to score. Sam Christman plucked a Trombley pass out of the air around the 5-yard line and completed the 26-yard scoring play by crossing the goal line with 6:03 remaining in the first quarter.
With St. Pierre hampered by injury – and sidelined shortly after his first score – Minnechaug built off its momentum of the previous touchdown, and added another with 59 ticks left in the quarter. Trombley weaved and bobbed his way in between the Westfield defense, emerging out of the pack, and racing 45 yards for a touchdown. The Falcons led 14-7.
Minnechaug wasted little time in building its lead.
After Westfield’s next series stalled, Minnechaug drove 67 yards in six plays. The Falcons made it a two-touchdown advantage, 21-7, following junior Cole Modestow’s 31-yard TD pass to Christman with 9:37 remaining in the first half.
Minnechaug scored its fourth consecutive touchdown a short time later.
Taking over near midfield following a Westfield turnover, Minnechaug drove 50 yards in nine plays. The Falcons punched the ball in on Trombley’s one-yard QB sneak.
The damp conditions created havoc with the ball – there were 10 fumbles (two lost) in the first half alone, and one interception.
Westfield converted a Minnechaug turnover into points late in the second quarter when the Bombers turned a fumble into seven points. Junior quarterback Scott Walsh hooked up with junior Zachary Adam on a spectacular 77-yard touchdown pass. Adam’s score came with 3:58 left on the clock.
Minnechaug scored late in the half, a Shawn St. Marie 1-yard TD run, to make it 34-14. The scoring barrage continued early in the second half for the Falcons.
Minnechaug marched the ball 55 yards on its first series of the third quarter. Falcons’ Chris Jusczyk punched it in on a 1-yard TD run (10:33).
In the fourth quarter, the teams combined for two touchdowns in a span of 17 seconds. Westfield junior running back Wilton Royal scored from 12 yards out with 8:50 remaining to pull within 41-20, but on Minnechaug’s ensuing series St. Marie rumbled 58 yards on the Falcons’ first play from scrimmage for an insurance touchdown.
BOYS’ SOCCER
Westfield Technical Academy 2, Pioneer Valley Christian 0
Dominic Rosario and Alex Stepanchuk scored one goal apiece, and Anatoliy Suprunchuk pitched a shutout in goal to blank host Pioneer Valley Christian Friday.
“Everyone had a job to do and they all did it today,” Westfield Tech coach Kyle Dulude said. “I’m just very proud with the way everyone carried themselves today and represented our school.”
Gateway 6, St. Mary 0
Nick Cooper scored two goals to lead Gateway (6-4-2), which built a commanding 5-0 first-half lead en route to the home victory.
Jacob Butler finished with 12 saves for St. Mary.
GOLF
Westfield 167, Chicopee Comp 177
Neil Sheehan shot a great round of golf for Westfield in tough conditions, shooting a 39. Bombers’ Matt Bonsall finished with a 41.
Westfield, which improved to 7-4, now needs just two wins to earn a postseason berth.
GIRLS’ SOCCER
Southwick 3, Holyoke Catholic 0
Lydia Kinsman, Sabrina Provost, and Alex Mello each scored to propel Southwick. Tori Richburg and Hannah Gerrish combined for four saves.
FIELD HOCKEY
Agawam 4, Southwick 1
Sydney Rogers scored the lone goal for Southwick.
GIRLS’ VOLLEYBALL
West Springfield def. Westfield 25-22, 25-12, 25-21
Julia Fluery (6 aces, 5 kills), Rudi Spano (2 aces, 3 kills, 13 assists, 8 digs), and Valerie Danskaya (3 aces, 5 kills) led West Side to a sweep.
Kelsey Johnstone finished with six assists and four aces for Westfield.
Holyoke def. Southwick 22-25, 25-20, 25-20, 25-13
Taylor Keiderling (4 aces, 3 kills), Emily Lachtara (3 aces, 9 kills), Ashley Consolini (4 kills, 4 digs, 2 aces), Caroline Methe (14 assists), Olivia Diamond (18 digs).
