Easthampton Eagles Suburban Football   Easthampton Friends of Football PO Box 633, Easthampton, MA 01027 Home Field @ White Brook Middle School Practice Field @ High School 1999 Season

The 1999 Season:

We have only six graduating seniors that finished the season on the team. The rest of the squad is back next year,including 14 starters.

Chris Huxley - first year player that learned the game so quickly that other schools tried to recruit him from us. Most points scored on the team, had the longest punt return on record at EHS at 80 yards for a touchdown.

Seth Taylor - able to play any position on the team, anchored the offensive and defensive line. Had the first touchdown of the season for EHS, against Holyoke Catholic on a short pass reception. Literally carried four defenders into the end zone.

Bill Lynch - probably had more fun on the team than anyone. Could have been the poster child for the saying, "You mean I can hit these guys as hard as I want and not get in trouble?". Defensive tackle that lined up against the opponents best lineman to teach them a thing or two about hitting.

Beau LaValley - first year quarterback that matured before our eyes into a complete player, fully in charge of his team. Recipient of this years Most Improved Player award.

Tom Hanchett - offensive tackle that personnally made the first three tackles single handedly against Holyoke Catholic.

Cham Tan "Mister Offense" - Started our season out with two consecutive 100 yard rushing games. Leading rusher for EHS through two seasons. Became a threat to opponents as he became a very good pass receiver in mid season. One of those players that would run through the opponent then laugh it off while the opponent tried to clear the fog out of their head.

This Years awards winners:

• Most valuable player - Junior Dina Hean
• Offensive player of year - Senior Cham Tan
• Defensive player of year - Junior Dina Hean

We also provided spirit awards and most improved. Most Improved was Beau LaValley and one of the Spirit Awards went to Mike Gordon.

This is how our games went:

Monday Sept. 13 - vs. Holyloke Catholic @ home We had our first game of the season at our new home field located at White Brook Middle School!

Both teams came up with critical defensive plays to stop scoring threats as Easthampton Eagles and the Holyoke Catholic Gaels fought to a 6 to 6 tie this afternoon. Before a crowd estimated by the officials to be nearly 1000, it was the power running game of Easthampton, led by the efforts of Senior halfback Cham Tan (14 carries for 105 yards) and junior fullback Mike Gordon (9 carries for 31 yards)that brought EHS back to a 6 to 6 tie after trailing 6 - 0 at the half.

Holyoke Catholic used their strong passing attack (4 completions in 7 attempts) to take the lead early in the second quarter on a 34 yard touchdown pass to Junior Nick O'Donnell of Easthampton. The Eagle running game (171 total yards) then set up a 13 yard scoring strike from Beau LaValley to tight end Seth Taylor to tie the game late in the second half.

Both teams again threatened to score, but a quarterback sack by Eagle Dina Hean on a Gael 4th and goal kept things even. The game turned into a defensive struggle as each team tried to find the right combination to take the lead. The Eagles' Dina Hean had two additional quarterback sacks and Mike Gordon registered two sacks and a fumble recovery. Dan Sadlowski also recovered a fumble for the Eagles to stop another threat in the 4th quarter.

The defensive hit of the game was a crushing open field tackle by Eagle Joe Runnals on the Gael kick-off receiver following the Eagle touchdown.

The excitement continues as the two teams square off once again this next Thanksgiving Day in the first Turkey bowl game for both teams.

Monday Sept. 27 - vs. Pathfinder Regional - On Monday the 27th, the Eagles traveled to Pathfinder to play their first full varsity game, taking on the 2A power at their home field. Behind an enormous front line, Pathfinder used its powerful running game to race out to a 20 - 0 first half lead. Pathfinder struck again early in the third quarter, leading 28-0 when the Eagles finally got untracked. Behind the running of senior Cham Tan's second consecutive 100 yard game, and the passing of quarterback Eric Stratton, the Eagles marched 63 yards for their first score. Fullback Michael Gordon blasted through the middle for a ten yard touchdown run, and with Beau LaValley running in the two point conversion, the Eagles were back in the game.

Stopping the Pathfinder offense on three plays, the Eagle passing attack went to work, with a 7 play, 50 yard drive ending in points as Stratton found wide receiver Chris Huxley for a 23 yard scoring strike. Beau LaValley's second two point conversion of the night made the score 28 - 16.

The Eagle defense forced Pathfinder into their fourth punt of the night, and Prentice Lattinville's 22 yard punt return gave the Eagles another chance to close the gap. With less than two minutes remaining, the Eagles moved the ball fifty yards and threatened to score once again. The Pathfinder defense stopped the last Eagle drive with an interception of a tipped pass at their own 11 yard line.

Cham Tan finished the night with 105 yards on 12 carries and Eric Stratton passed for 122 yards on 7 completions in 11 attempts. Receiver Chris Huxley had 5 catches for 94 yards. The Eagle defense was led by linebacker Dina Hean, and tackles Bill Lynch and Mike Lattinville.

Monday Oct. 4 - vs. Holyoke @ home - Easthampton's Eagles and Holyoke High battled to a 0-0 tie as both teams powerful running games struggled in a rain soaked field at WBMS.

Holyoke threatened to strike first, but Eagle Jon Tetrault's quarterback sack forced the Holyoke offense to turn the ball over on downs. The first half ended 0-0 as the Eagles were unable to move the ball against Holyoke.

The second half saw the defenses continue to dominate the game. The Eagles offense came alive in the fourth quarter, with a long drive kept alive by fullback Mike Gordon's 12 yard pass on 4th down to Wide Receiver Chris Huxley. A Holyoke interception deep in their own territory stopped the drive and the game ended 0-0.

The Eagle defense forced five Holyoke fumbles, and was led by Jon Tetrault's 3 sacks and a fumble recovery, Bill Lynch's fumble recovery, and Dan "Bubba" Sadlowski's 2 QB sacks. Avery LaValley led the offense with 43 yards on six carries.

Monday Oct. 11 - vs. Springfield Central @ home - Easthampton was unable to overcome five turnovers in a 32-0 loss to a powerful Springfield Central team on monday morning, October 11th.

Playing at the beautiful WBMS field, amidst a backdrop of striking fall colors and a lush green field, Central capitalized quickly on an Easthampton error, blocking the Eagles first punt of the game and taking over on the EHS 17 yard line. Sweeping right, Central raced into the end zone for a quick lead.

The Eagles replied with a 60 yard drive of their own, but were stopped on fourth down at the Central 3 yard line as Senior Cham Tan was unable to punch it in on fourth down.

After trading posessions, Central put a series of long runs together, capped by a 27 yard touchdown pass, and EHS trailed 16-0. On the ensuing kickoff, the Eagles fumbled the kickoff reception, turning the ball over to Central deap in their own territory. Central drove for the score again, and led 24 -0.

Both teams traded possessions again, but the Eagles fumbled a central punt, turning the ball over again. Central drove for the final score and a 32-0 lead.

Losing quarterback Eric Stratton to an ankle injury, QB Beau LaValley led a final EHS charge that ran out as time expired and the final score was 32-0 in favor of the visiting Central team.

The Eagles were led defensively by Jon Tetrault's two sacks and fumble recovery, and the running of Senior halfback Cham Tan.

Monday Oct. 25 - vs. Palmer - @ Palmer - In a classic battle of a stingy defense versus a strong offense, The EHS Eagles battled the Palmer Rangers to a 12-12 tie at Palmer Legion Field. The Eagles are now 0-2-3 for the season.

Palmer struck first, early in the first quarter, racing out to a 6-0 lead behind a 41 yard burst by the Ranger strong running game. The two point after touchdown pass attempt was deflected by safety Matt Flagg.

After trading possessions, the Eagle's Joe Runnals blocked a Ranger punt, and the Eagles took over at the Palmer 29. The Eagle offense went to work, putting together a six play drive to tie the score, capped by Halfback Cham Tan's 3 yard dive. The 2 point attempt failed, and we were tied 6-6.

Palmer took the second half kickoff and put an eight play, 80 yard drive together to regain the lead on a 2 yard QB sneak. Once again the 2 point attempt failed, and the Rangers led 12-6.

The Eagle's Cham Tan returned the ensuing kickoff 33 yards, setting up an Easthampton 5 play, 47 yard drive to again tie the score. Jon Tetrault provided the scoring punch as he raced 35 yards down the left sideline for the touchdown. The Eagles couldn't convert the extra point try, and we went to the fourth quarter tied 12-12.

Trading possessions again, a 61 yard punt by Eagle Eric Sealander put the Rangers in the hole at their own nine yard line. The stingy Eagle defense forced Palmer to punt, but time ran out at the Eagles last drive for the winning score stalled at the Palmer 12 yard line.

The Eagle offense saw Cham Tan pass the 300 yard rushing mark, adding 54 yards to his total on 11 carries. Fullback Mike Gordon added 46 yards on 10 carries and Jon Tetrault gained 43 yards on 8 carries.

Joe Runnals led the Eagle defense with a blocked punt, supported by Dina Hean's 2 qb sacks.

Monday Nov. 8 - vs. Westfield(@ Westfield) - The Eagles stunned the Westfield Bombers by jumping out to a 14 - 0 first quarter lead behind their strong running game in Westfield last Monday. EHS took the opening kickoff and marched 65 yards in four plays to take a 6-0 lead three minutes into the game. Sophomore Jon Tetrault sprinted 42 yards and then 20 yards in two consecutive plays to open thescoring. QB Beau LaValley added the two point conversion, and the Eagles were up 8-0.

The Bombers were unable to generate any offense, and turned the ball over to the Eagles at midfield. Led by Junior Fullback Mike Gordon's 30 yard romp on a fake punt, the Eagles scored again to close the first quarter with a 14-0 lead. An 8 yard touchdown pass from Beau LaValley to Senior Receiver Chris Huxley provided the points.

Westfield was able to get untracked, and through their strong running game was able to get back in the game with a five - play, 75 yard drive to score. Following the 2 point conversion, the Eagle lead was cut to 14-8. Following the Eagle possession, the Bombers again moved the ball on the ground, scoring with a nine play, 45 yard drive. The 2 point conversion gave the Bombers a 16-14 lead going into the half time.

Stopping the Bombers opening drive in four plays, the Eagles again moved the ball, threatening to regain the lead. Westfield was able to stop the Eagles on fourth and goal and regained the momentum. following a quick series on runs, the Bombers increased their lead to 22-14 early in the 4th quarter. The Eagle offense couldn't push the ball across the line as the fourth quarter wound down and turned the ball over to the Westfield Bombers one last time. Scoring on a broken play at the last play of the game, Westfield escaped with a hard fought victory over the Eagles 28-14.

Jon Tetrault led the Eagle offense with 69 yards on 13 carries, followed closely by Mike Gordon's 66 yards on 9 carries.

Monday Nov. 22 - Easthampton Eagles hosted the Pathfinder Regional Varsity in a rematch that the Eagles hoped would set the rest of the league on notice that they were ready for Varsity play next season. The fans and players were not disappointed.

Going against the first string varsity for one of the teams anticipated to be in the same league as the Eagles next year, Easthampton gave up two quick scores on a long run and long pass and found themselves quickly behind 16-0.

Rather than give up, it was Easthampton taking charge for the rest of the game, stopping the Pathfinder offense cold as the Eagle defense went to work. Eagle safety Eric Stratton got the ball rolling as he intercepted a Pathfinder pass at the Eagle 23 and raced 77 yards for the touchdown behind the strong blocking of tackle Seth Taylor and tight end Kevin Teres. Easthampton's Joe Runnals nearly intercepted a pass on Pathfinder's next series of downs, and the Eagles went to the locker room trailing 16-6 at the half.

Pathfinder pushed their lead out to 22-6 on a 28 yard run up the left side line, but were stoped in their two point after touchdown attempt on a crashing tackle by Linebacker Dina Hean. The Eagle offense then went to work, putting together a ten play, 65 yard drive, capped by fullback Mike Gordon crashing through the middle of the Pathfinder defensive line for the Eagles second score.

An onside kick was recovered by Pathfinder, and four consecutive running plays allowed them to run out the clock and escape with the victory.

Junior fullback Mike Gordon led the Eagle running game, with Junior safety Eric Stratton's interception and six unassisted tackles leading the defense.

Thanksgiving Day Game against Holyoke Catholic - With just three days rest, Easthampton's Football Eagles travelled to Holyoke Catholic to take on the Gaels in the first Thanksgiving day game between the two schools.

In one of the most exciting games of the day anywhere in Western Massachusetts, the two newest football programs in the state squared off in a rematch of each team's season opener that ended in a six to six tie last September.

As the game got underway, both coaches and the officiating staff all agreed that we would go into overtime if necessary to crown the first "Turkey Bowl" victor.

Kicking off to the Gaels, the Eagles forced a Holyoke punt on four downs, and the excitement began. Taking the punt on the Eagle 20, Wide receiver Chris Huxley raced to the left and sprinted 80 yards for the Eagles opening score. The two point after touchdown attempt failed, and EHS led 6-0 just moments into the game.

The Gaels were not going to roll over, and promptly put there own 70 yard drive together to tie the score behind the strong running of Jeff Goden. The two point attempt was stopped by Defensive end Jon Tetreault and we had a new game.

The Eagle offense was unable to move the ball, and following an Eric Sealander punt to the Catholic 41 yard line, the Gaels strong running game gave them the lead 12-6, as Jeff Goden scored on fourth down from the one yard line. The point after touchdown failed as the Gaels fumbled and we went into the second quarter Gaels 12 and Eagles 6.

The Eagle offense got untracked, moving the ball on their next series of downs deep into Gael territory, but were forced to turn the ball over on downs. Not to be stopped, the Eagle defense forced a Gael fumble, recovered by tackle Bill Lynch. Three plays later, Eagle quarterback Beau LaValley found Chris Huxley open for a 21 yard scoring strike, and the Eagles tied the game 12-12. This time, Senior running back Cham Tan was not to be stopped, as he waltzed into the end zone untouched for the two point conversion, and the Eagles led again, 14-12.

Eric Stratton's interception on the following series by the Gaels ended the half.

Holyoke Catholic opening drive in the second half came to an abrupt stop as Cham Tan intercepted the ball in Eagle territory. The EHS offense once again moved the ball well, but were unable to score after driving 75 yards deep into Gael territory. After turning the ball over on downs, the Eagle defense again took control, and Bill Lynch recovered another Gael fumble at the Catholic one yard line. Jon Tetreault's one yard dive, followed by his two point conversion, gave the Eagles the lead 22-12.

Catholic once again threatened to close the gap before the Eagle defense created the Gael's fifth turnover of the night, this time an interception by Eagle linebacker Dina Hean. The Gaels were not ready to give in, and their own defense forced the Eagles to turn the ball over on downs with only three minutes left in the game. Three quick running plays later, the Gaels were back in the game on a scoring run by Eddie Letour, and closed the score to 22-18. The two point conversion succeeded, and with only 30 seconds remaining, only two points seperated the two teams.

With the crowd estimated at 1,000 standing and screaming for their fovorite team to pull it out, Holyoke tried an onside kick and recovered on their own 47. Seventeen seconds remaining, the Eagles went to a four safety prevent defense and turned away three incomplete long passes to preserve their win. Safety Eric Stratton's defense of a last Hail Mary pass gave the Eagles a hard fought 22-20 win and established what promises to be one of the most exciting rivalries to be for Western Mass Football.

Sophomore running back Jon Tetreault led the Eagle offense with 63 yards rushing, supported by Quarterback Beau Lavalley's 4 for 8 passing and one touchdown. The defense was led by Senior tackle Bill Lynch, Tom Hanchett, and Safety Eric Stratton. Sophomore Eric Sealander turned in another outstanding performance for the Eagle kicking game as he prepares to make a run at all Western Mass next year as a kicker.

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