Chicopee settles at the line against rival Chicopee Comp. The Pacers routed the Colts, 39-7, to win the Suburban League and win the Mayor's Sword.
CHICOPEE --- Pick a story line, any story line.
Any matchup of inter-city rivals is sure to sprout fantastic story lines. But Monday’s annual Sword Game between Chicopee and Chicopee Comprehensive provided more than normal.
For starters, you’ve got Chicopee and Chicopee Comp --- the only two high schools in the intimate city. For years the game has seemed to slide under the radar. Not this year, though.
The rivals entered with identical 7-1 records and were battling with not only the famous Mayor's Sword up for grabs, but the Suburban League title and Division I playoff positioning at stake.
You also had the pride of both schools at stake, which was proven by the capacity crowd that trumped with ease any this reporter has seen while covering sports in Massachusetts.
Finally, you had Shawn Cruzado, a sophomore linebacker for Chicopee. Cruzado was recently diagnosed with testicular cancer, undergoing surgery and beginning chemotherapy treatments last week. Prior to the game, Shawn was presented a Chicopee High helmet signed by players from both teams.
Eddie Green rushes for a 64-yard touchdown, one of his four rushing TDs on the night.
Among all of these made-for-the-big-screen moments, though, it was Chicopee High’s Eddie Green that stole the show. The bruising senior running back smashed for 220 yards and four touchdowns, leading the Pacers to a convincing, 39-6 win over Chicopee Comp.
With the win, the Pacers clinched the Suburban League and secured the No. 1 --- for the time being, at least --- seed in the Western Mass. Div. I power rankings. Perhaps most importantly, though, the Pacers regained ownership of the Sword.
“It’s huge,” said an excited Raheem Kelly-Reid, who ran for 81 yards and added a score as part of Chicopee’s seemingly unstoppable backfield duo. “It’s not only for the Sword but for the league championship.
“It’s for the whole school and the City of Chicopee.”
The Pacers jumped on the board first, scoring on their first drive. Ed Green did the deed from six yards out, perhaps setting the tone for the evening.
The crowd was filled to capacity at Chicopee Comp High School. The estimated crowd was between 4,500 and 5,000.
Comp stormed back, though, and Matt Toczek scored from two yards out. That second-quarter TD, however, was all the Colts would get.
Green and Kelly-Reid scored before the half to send the Pacers into the locker room with an 18-6 advantage. Green added two more scores, including a 64-yard blast early in the fourth quarter. Jose Modesto added one more late in the game.
“This is a thrill,” said Chicopee High head coach Alex Efstratios. “Our offensive line was unbelievable. Eddie Green and Raheem Kelly-Reid were fantastic.
“We had a goal and we met that goal. It was to win the league and come to this point.”
While the Pacers were clearly the winners on the scoreboard, there’s no doubt the city and both high schools came out as winners.
Player signed a Chicopee High helmet for sophomore linebacker Shawn Cruzado, who was recently diagnosed with testicular cancer.
“The community has been hyped up about this for a long time,” said Jim Blain, Director of Athletics for both schools. “It’s a big game anyways, but is magnified this year.
Blain applauded both teams and coaching staffs for their treatment and support of Shawn Cruzado.
“I’m very close with both coaches and I’ve told them all week that no matter what happens, I win,” he said. “Seeing the helmet signing and giving it to Shawn just shows that both are going to go after it in the game but in the end they understand the sportsmanship involved.”
After the game, the Chicopee student body rushed the field to celebrate with the team. After the ceremonial passing of the Sword by Chicopee Mayor Michael Bissonnette, Efstratios addressed the team like he always does. This time, however, he had much of the student body taking a knee with his players.
“The student body was phenomenal,” he said. “The support the school has given us has been unbelievable.”
Eddie Green (left) and Raheem Kelly-Reid smile with head coach Alex Efstratios (middle) after the game.
Comments: