EASTHAMPTON – The Smith Vocational football team couldn’t keep pace with Upper Cape Cod Regional Vocational Tech in its 52-20 loss in the state vocational small school quarterfinal round on Saturday afternoon at Mountain View School.

The first quarter featured five touchdowns and 36 points between the two teams, but it was the visiting Rams who pulled away in the second half, outscoring the Vikings 22-6 after intermission.

“We struggled to stop the run today and they stuck with it,” Vikings head coach Alex Subocz said. “Even with a few adjustments, nothing really changed and that's how they ended up with the 52 [points] on the scoreboard."

The Rams offense was led by quarterback Jeshua Pandiscio and Amari Williams, who factored into three of Upper Cape Cod’s seven scores.

“[Pandiscio] could definitely get the ball to [Dominic Carter] and [Austyn Tucker], super tall receivers,” Subocz said. “They were a big team.

“[Maxwell Smith] is a huge offensive lineman, he's great at collapsing the side and [Waylan Watts] and  [Williams] are both strong running backs,” Subocz said.

Spencer Warren started under center for Smith Voc in place of the injured Ty Chapdeliane, and the freshman did an admirable job. The Vikings’ No. 16 scored his first career touchdown during the third quarter on a 1-yard keeper that cut their deficit to 30-20.

Unfortunately for Smith Voc, that would count as its last touchdown of the game.

“I thought the guys did well so I don't want this to sound like an excuse for the outcome, but [our] quarterback today, first varsity start ever,” Subocz said. “Most people don't get theirs in a playoff game. Ninth-grader, hopped right into, scored his first varsity touchdown.”

The highlight of the afternoon for the hosts came on a 79-yard score from running back Brayden LaRose, during the flurry of touchdowns in the first 12 minutes. The Rams had just scored on the previous possession, but LaRose busted up the middle to even the score for the Vikings, 8-8, at 9:18 after a successful two-point conversion.

Upper Cape Cod responded with a 65-yard score of its own to take the lead back at 8:58.

A muffed punt return from the Rams set up Smith Voc’s second touchdown of the meeting, a 20-yard run from John Loiko, which knotted the score, 14-14, after a good two-point conversion.

However, the Rams went to work on the ground once again, scoring on an 11-yard rush, to finish the first quarter with the 22-14 advantage.

Upper Cape Cod tallied the only touchdown of the second quarter, scoring on a 3-yard run at 3:45. The Rams took the 30-14 lead into the halftime break and never looked back.

“Jared Baer, awesome running back, Brayden LaRose, awesome running back, Bryan Leyton, awesome running back,” Subocz said “We still got to 20 [points]. To me the issues weren't offensive. You can't give up 52 points.”

The Vikings (6-3) will now turn its attention to closing out the 2024 season against Franklin County Tech on Thanksgiving.

“We follow a 24-hour rule. This sucks, period,” Subocz said. “When we see each other on Monday, it's all about beating Tech. Just beat Tech.”