Statewide high school football tournament proposals debated

The Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association is working on yet another proposal for a statewide football tournament.

After repeated past attempts have failed, the MHSFCA expects to present a plan at the MIAA state football committee meeting on Feb. 9.

Belchertown quarterback Chris Ladd Gazette Football Player of the Year

Simply referring to Belchertown's Chris Ladd as a quarterback doesn't begin to tell the whole story of his ability as a football player. Indeed, the senior did it all on the gridiron for the Orioles, leading them into the postseason for the second straight season following a four-year drought. For all his exploits, Ladd has been named the Daily Hampshire Gazette Football Player of the Year for the 2011 season.

• Click here for Gazette Football All-Star Team

Gazette Football All-Star Team

First team

Shane Andrews, junior, Easthampton

Paul Bergeron, senior, Easthampton

Justin Carey, junior, Amherst Regional

Charlie Clark, junior, Amherst Regional

Connor Doran, senior, South Hadley

Max Dowd, junior, South Hadley

Zach Greaney, senior, South Hadley

Jake Griffin, senior, Northampton

Versatile quarterback Chris Ladd leads Belchertown on Super Bowl quest

Belchertown football coach John Mayo is in his fourth season leading the Orioles, but he’s coached for roughly three decades. Having worked with hundreds of players over that time, Mayo delivered the ultimate compliment about his current quarterback. "I've coached football for 30 years, and Chris Ladd is the best player I've ever coached," Mayo said. "His football IQ is so high, and his memory is tremendous, which is huge at the high school level. You put his physical ability with his mental ability, you have one heck of a player. He's been pretty much the ideal player."

• Related story: Experienced Belchertown faces green Lee

Experienced Belchertown faces green Lee in Division 3 football playoffs

Last season, the Belchertown football team entered its playoff game with zero postseason experience. But in tonight's Western Massachusetts Division 3 semifinal, the Orioles will be the seasoned veterans.

This year, the second-seeded Orioles will face a team with no prior playoff experience in No. 3 Lee, which came in second in the tough Berkshire League. The opening kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at Westfield State University.

Northampton athletic fields named for former football coach Frank Tudryn

NORTHAMPTON - On the day he helped dedicate the Northampton High School athletic complex to honor former football coach Frank Tudryn, current coach Ken O'Brien recalled Tudryn's hiring. There was some controversy at the time due to Tudryn being just 22 years old. O'Brien shared a prescient quote from Tudryn at the time. "He told the Gazette that some day they'll be erecting a statue in my honor," O'Brien said during the ceremony unveiling the new sign for the Frank Tudryn Athletic Complex held at halftime of the Thanksgiving Day game against Amherst Regional. The Hurricanes won 14-12.

• Related story: Big plays lift Amherst over Northampton

Tyler Phillips scores three TDs as Easthampton football rolls over Dean Tech

HOLYOKE - It was as though the Easthampton football team couldn't wait to head back over the mountain for Thanksgiving dinner, as it rushed its way to a 37-0 victory over Dean Tech at Holyoke High School Thursday.

The Eagles (5-6, 4-4 Tri County) shut out the Golden Hawks (0-10, 0-8) in convincing fashion with impressive work from running backs Tyler Phillips and Shane Andrews, who both carved through the Dean Tech defense with quick feet and swift jukes for a combined 136 rushing yards. The senior Phillips, however, rushed for three touchdowns in his final high school football game.

South Hadley football ends season with rout of Chicopee Comp

SOUTH HADLEY - The South Hadley football team isn't used to having its season end on Thanksgiving.

But led by their outgoing senior class, the Tigers finished the campaign strong with a 52-6 trouncing of Chicopee Comp Thursday.

Belchertown football overcomes mistakes to blank Pathfinder

PALMER - Everyone has something to be thankful for. Chris Ladd is thankful for second chances.

Ladd committed two turnovers early in the first half, but immediately atoned for both with touchdown runs to give Belchertown a two-score cushion that proved to be more than enough in a 29-0 smothering of Pathfinder Regional Thursday.

Frontier football beats Mohawk in overtime

SOUTH DEERFIELD - What a way to end a season.

Forty minutes of regulation was not enough for rivals Mohawk Trail and Frontier Regional in their Thanksgiving Eve Intercounty League showdown.

High school football preview capsules

Amherst Regional at Northampton

Today, 10 a.m.

Records: Hurricanes (3-6); Blue Devils (2-8)

Last game: Amherst lost to Chicopee 18-0 on Nov. 19; Northampton lost to Longmeadow 27-0 on Nov. 17

Zack Jackson, Amherst Regional take on Thanksgiving rival Northampton

After an injury during his freshman season cost him nearly half his high school career, Amherst Regional senior Zack Jackson has recovered nicely to become one of the best running backs in western Massachusetts.

Chicopee blanks Amherst Regional football

Jesus Sanchez ran for 228 yards and scored three touchdowns as Chicopee shut out the Amherst Regional football team 18-0 at Community Field on Saturday.

The Pacers (5-4, 4-2 Suburban) intercepted Hurricanes quarterback Justin Carey four times and limited Amherst (3-6, 2-4) to just 24 rushing yards.

Longmeadow shuts out Northampton football

LONGMEADOW - If the Northampton football team could have punched in from the 10-yard line in the third quarter Thursday night, hopes of a monumental upset might have carried into the final 12 minutes.

But trailing only by 13 points at the time, the Blue Devils were turned back by Longmeadow, which went on to score two quick touchdowns and coast to a 27-0 victory.

Belchertown football clinches playoff berth with win over Greenfield

BELCHERTOWN - The Belchertown football team achieved its every goal Tuesday night.

The Orioles clinched a Division 3 playoff berth with a 43-24 victory over Greenfield on senior night.

With the win, they completed a second straight undefeated home campaign, while also maintaining hopes for a share of the Intercounty League title.

Frontier Regional football rolls past Athol

SOUTH DEERFIELD - There was something special brewing at Frontier Regional on Tuesday night.

While the girls volleyball team was sweeping its way to a State Division 3 Tournament semifinal victory, the football team was turning in its own impressive performance as it rode its strong special teams play to a 28-18 upset over Athol in Intercounty League action.

Andrew Bzdel returns to score winning touchdown for Easthampton football

EASTHAMPTON - Easthampton running back Andrew Bzdel made it a point to return to the field for his final home game as an Eagle. Not only did he play, he was one of the heroes.

Despite limited action Friday night, the senior accounted for the game-winning touchdown as the Eagles defeated Turners Falls 18-13 on senior night at Sawyer Field on the campus of Williston Northampton.

South Hadley football falls to undefeated Putnam

SOUTH HADLEY - The South Hadley football team played undefeated Putnam tough all game, but were not able to overcome the powerful Beaver running attack, lead by senior back Malquawn Pinkney, as Putnam topped South Hadley 22-12 Friday night.

Belchertown football slogs to win over Athol

BELCHERTOWN - The Belchertown football team took another giant step - albeit a muddy one - toward securing a second straight postseason berth.

The Orioles scored on their first possession and their defense nearly pitched a shutout in a 16-6 victory over Athol Thursday night.

Amherst football falls to West Springfield on late TD

AMHERST - The Amherst Regional football team had a number of good opportunities to break a late fourth quarter tie with West Springfield, but fell just short as Terrier senior wide receiver Dan Jonah ran for a 71-yard touchdown on a reverse with just over a minute left to cap a 20-14 victory at a muddy Community Field Thursday night.