AMHERST — A short-handed Amherst football team had its senior night spoiled by Agawam on Friday night.

Nicholas Ugolini rushed for 319 yards and four touchdown to lead the Brownies to a 38-20 victory under the lights at Pratt Field on the campus of Amherst College.

The Hurricanes were without arguably their two best players in running back Jameson Dion and defensive end Junior Ramsey. Dion is also a hard-hitting linebacker-safety hybrid on defense, so without the two, Amherst struggled to stop the run. Ugolini ripped off runs of 62, 59, and 51 among many other highlight carries, and Agawam amassed 398 total yards.

“They ran buck sweep probably about 50 times in a row,” Amherst head coach Vinnie Guiel said. “[Ugolini] is good, and hats off to Agawam, they’d be a lot to handle even with Jameson and Junior. They’re big up front, [Ugolini] is out of his mind, and that’s it. It’s a mad game we play. We’ll be alright.”

Without Dion, who has amassed 1,179 yards on the ground this season, Guiel knew Amherst was going to struggle running the ball against the size and strength of Agawam up front. The Hurricanes were aware they’d have to pass much more than usual in order to effectively move the ball against the Brownies.

But unfortunately for Amherst, the constant rainfall favored the run game – which gave Agawam a strong advantage. Even through the rain, ‘Canes quarterback NeNe Fernandez threw for 284 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. It wasn’t enough to dig out of an early 14-0 hole.

“We were up against it. The one game where we thought we’d have trouble running the ball and had to throw it a bunch, it was a torrential downpour,” Guiel said. “NeNe played well, and he did what he could do. He made plays with his feet, he made a couple good throws, it just wasn’t enough tonight.”

Raymond Colon snagged a 66-yard touchdown in the second quarter and Thatcher Rudnik had a strong overall game highlighted by a 26-yard touchdown on the following possession. But 22 Agawam points in the second period had Amherst trailing 28-12 at the half.

Late in the third and early into the fourth, the Hurricanes used a 14 play, 96-yard drive capped off by a Fernandez to Tre Bowman 27-yard touchdown connection to pull within one possession, 28-20, with 10 minutes and 26 seconds remaining in the game.

The Brownies then slowed it down, using nearly five minutes of clock to set themselves up in field-goal range at the 6-yard line. On fourth down, Agawam kicker Drew Scherban nailed a 23 yarder to put his team up 31-20 – a crucial two-possession lead – midway through the fourth. 

Ugolini added another touchdown after a Hurricanes turnover on downs to seal the deal.

The loss hurt Guiel knowing what his seniors – Dion, Matt Hockman, Neil Cunniffe, Danny Alexander, Jovahny Govan, Brandon Stewart, and Brendan Camphor – have meant to he and the program.

“I love those kids, and I knew that we would have a successful year when they were seniors, and we have,” Guiel said. “The season’s not over. I’m proud of those guys – every single one of them. I love them to death. It hurts right now. I feel bad for them, I feel bad for the team.”

As for the two superstars sidelined on Friday, Guiel hopes to have both of them back suited up and ready to go. Dion actually dressed and warmed up with the team, but took off his pads and threw on sweatpants moments before opening kickoff.

“Junior will be back,” Guiel said. “JD, he’s dealing with some stuff right now. That’s all I got. We gotta figure it out.”

Amherst (6-1) needed to defeat Agawam to keep its state playoff hopes alive. The Hurricanes entered Friday as the No. 20 team in Division 4, most likely having to win out to crack the top 16. The loss most likely eliminates the Hurricanes from playoff contention. Guiel is still going to have his team ready to bounce back against West Springfield – which can win the Suburban South with a win – on the road next week.

“Obviously 6-1 is a good football record, we’ve played great football this year,” Guiel said. “Playoffs are probably out the window at this point, but as for the league title, if we can’t win it, nobody can win it. That’s what we’re gonna preach next week, and that’s that. We’re still gonna go play football.”

While there is still more football to be played, Guiel reflected on the incredible season Amherst has had. It’s been filled with improbable victories – like a last-second touchdown to beat Wahconah – and amazing feats (Dion breaking 1,000 yards in less than five games). To see where the program was when he took over (one win the previous year) grow into what it is now has been a joy for the second-year ‘Canes coach.

“It’s been amazing,” Guiel said. “We’ve had some special moments, we have special kids, and it’s a good group. It’s one of my favorite teams I’ve ever coached.”