Central Mass. beats Western Mass. in Chowder Bowl

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Central Mass. beats Western Mass. in Chowder Bowl

Fran Sypek, The Republican
David Roback, The Republican

View Photo Gallery (15 photos) from the 2010 Chowder Bowl Game

The Republican/DAVE ROBACKWestern Mass All-Stars line up prior to the Chowder Bowl between Western Mass. and Central Mass. High School All-Stars at Springfield College.

The Republican/DAVE ROBACK
Western Mass All-Stars line up prior to the Chowder Bowl between Western Mass.
and Central Mass. High School All-Stars at Springfield College.

Published: Friday, June 25, 2010, 10:48 PM Updated: Friday, June 25, 2010, 11:18 PM
Fran Sypek, The Republican

SPRINGFIELD – Defense wins championships.

Chowder Bowls, too.

Central Massachusetts used an opportunistic and punishing defense to claim the 10th annual Chowder Bowl Friday night following a 35-19 victory over Western Mass. at Springfield College’s Amos Alonzo Stagg Field.

Central holds an 8-1-1 edge in the series, which sees the proceeds go to the Shriners Hospitals for Children. The West has lost seven straight games to Central.

Western Mass. was doomed by six interceptions, including three which Central Mass turned into touchdowns.

“Their defense was fast and they mixed it up quite a bit,” said quarterback Jesse Warren from ChicopeeComprehensive High School. “It’s disappointing to lose because we came in hoping for a big victory.”

Justin Sundra came up with an interception on the opening series and Central turned it into the game’s first score when Hunter Beckmann ran for a 1-yard touchdown.

Sundra picked off Warren again on the West’s second possession. That set up another touchdown run by Beckmann, this one a 7-yard scamper as Central led, 14-0.

06/25/10-Springfield-Staff Photo by Dave Roback-Action from Friday evening's Shrine Chowder Bowl between Western Mass and Central Mass High School All-Stars at Springfield College.

06/25/10 - Springfield-Staff Photo by Dave Roback
Action from Friday evening's Shrine Chowder Bowl between Western Mass and
Central Mass High School All-Stars at Springfield College. Here Cathedral's
Avante Lelaind greets Brandon the All-Star Game Ambassador.

The West gave Central a taste of its own medicine when Sci-Tech’s Arthur Williams intercepted a pass and took it 85-yards down the left sideline for an electrifying touchdown that shaved the margin to 14-6. But Central responded with a big play, a 76-yard touchdown pass from Ken Bates to A.J. Scerra to raise its lead to 21-6.

Following a shanked punt, Central had a short field at the 50-yard-line and capitalized on it. Scerra threw a pinpoint pass to Nick Mastrogiacomo for a 23-yard touchdown late in the second quarter as Central extended its lead to 28-6.

Warren floated a nice pass into the end zone to best friend and Comp teammate Matt Toczek with 1:21 left as the West cut the Central lead to 28-13.

Central was going for the knockout punch during the third quarter, but Chicopee’s Cody Richards came up with a clutch interception in the end zone with 5:12 left in the quarter. But an interception by Adrian DeJesus gave Central the ball at the 17 and four plays later, Scerra found Mastrogiacomo in the end zone for a 5-yard completion as Central led, 35-13.

The West was knocking on the door in the fourth quarter only to see the drive end with a DeJesus interception in the end zone. Then with 7:20 remaining, Warren hit Cathedral’s Levante Leland with a 10-yard scoring strike to make it 35-19.

Toczek was the West’s defensive MVP, while Chicopee’s Raheem Kelly-Reid took offensive honors. Kelly-Reid ripped off some big runs.