NORTHAMPTON — There wasn’t a more thrilling Thanksgiving Day game across western Massachusetts in 2023 than the battle between Northampton and Easthampton at Mountain View School in Easthampton.
The Blue Devils entered winless on the season, and the Eagles were seeking their first win over Northampton since the two schools started playing each other on the holiday back in 2015. All signs pointed to Easthampton breaking its 0-8 streak after it went ahead 14-12 with just 20 seconds left in the fourth quarter, but an improbable 58-yard touchdown reception from Mykal Norris helped Northampton stun the Eagles 18-14 and continue its domination in the “Battle of the Hamptons” – winning its ninth straight in the rivalry.
If Easthampton wasn’t determined enough to beat the Blue Devils before, it definitely is now after coming so close to a victory last fall. The Eagles will get a chance to finally notch their first win in the Turkey Day series on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at Northampton High School.
“It’s obviously something that’s stuck in everyone’s head since last season,” Easthampton head coach Kyle Dragon said. “No one has forgotten about it, and we don’t want that to happen again. We had an amazing fourth quarter last year where we scored and went ahead, and then they scored the touchdown with a few seconds left. Our guys want it bad. They can taste it this year… Especially the seniors, they want to be the team that finally wins on Thanksgiving.”
Although it has had all of the success in this rivalry, Northampton comes into Thursday just as desperate for a win. After losing every game in 2023 except for the finale, the Blue Devils started off this season strong – perhaps riding the momentum from the miraculous victory on Thanksgiving.
They won the first three games on their schedule, but have since dropped six in a row. Northampton head coach Joe Kocot said he feels the importance of this week’s contest, knowing what coming out on top would do for the confidence of those coming back in 2025.
“A win would be everything for these guys,” Kocot said. “The thing is, it’s not just that we’ve lost six in a row; it’s how we’ve lost. Runs over 40 yards that we’ve given up, it’s unbelievable. If we stop that, make them grind things out, it’ll make it easier on us. But still, I think it’s a coin flip. They’ve got some good players, we’ve got some good players. And it’s Thanksgiving for them, too. It means something for both teams.”
On the flip side, Easthampton comes in as hot as any team in Hampshire County. After dropping four straight contest to open up the season, the Eagles defended their home field in a thrilling 20-19 win over Belchertown – kick-starting a stretch of five wins in six games.
Senior quarterback Colin Hogan has amassed 1,000 total yards on the season and provides opposing defenses with headaches due to his versatility. Standout wide receiver Nelson Gomez has made several huge plays in key moments to help Easthampton win games this season, and the two-headed monster of Jake Kostek and Vynce Carr – both of whom have really come on strong behind a young, improving offensive line – headline the Eagles backfield.
Often times coaches will come up with a wrinkle or two in big rivalry games, but Dragon is going to keep it simple with what’s been working for Easthampton, especially considering the heavy rain expected on Thursday.
“We plan on just doing what we’ve been doing so well lately,” Dragon said. “We started the season out struggling, but we’ve really turned it up a notch and have won five out of our last six. Our running game has really exploded these last few games, and that’s what we want to stick with. And plus with the weather conditions, we don’t want to do anything crazy.”
Giving up chunk plays has been an issue for Northampton’s defense during the regular season. For Easthampton, hitting on those large gains is a staple in its offense. Something will have to give on that front, and likely which ever team can win that specific battle may very well win the war.
“Just like any game, we can’t give up any big plays defensively,” Kocot said. “We have to keep grinding. We know what [Easthampton] does and they know what we do… But as the game unfolds, your game script could change right after kickoff. So we’re going to take it one play at a time. That’s what we’re going to do.”
The Blue Devils have no seniors starting on offense, and only one senior starting on defense. Their roster contains only three players who graduate in the spring. It’s the youngest team Kocot has had in his tenure at Northampton.
One of those underclassmen is sophomore quarterback Dion Cadez, and he’s continued to show growth week in and week out leading the Blue Devils offense. Kocot’s expectations on his young signal caller have increased as he’s shown what he’s capable of, and the 63-year old head coach knows Cadez is going to have to bring his best stuff for Northampton to increase its winning streak against Easthampton to double digits.
Aside from Cadez, Kocot is looking for others to rise to the occasion.
“Dion, he’s really come along throughout the year,” he said. “He hasn’t missed one practice. He’s only a sophomore, so amassing the knowledge he has as a quarterback is huge… I’m actually hoping for some surprises, some positive surprises. Someone to stand out that we didn’t think was going to. That’s what we’re doing here anyway, we’re building for the future.”
Will 2024 finally be the season Easthampton breaks its curse against its neighboring town? Dragon, who’s in year No. 2 as head coach of the Eagles, certainly hopes so – and not just for his sake.
“A win, for me, would be exciting. I’ve obviously been around this program a long time and have never seen an Easthampton win on Thanksgiving,” Dragon said. “But this is all about the kids. It would elevate their excitement to go home and enjoy the day with family, and I think the turkey and pie will taste a little bit better at the end of the day.”
