Football kicked off season with a bang, collected wins

The Amherst Hurricanes football team was on an impressive journey this fall, turning last season’s struggles into a successful 4-0 record at the start of their season. With leadership and talent at its core, standout athletes in key positions, and a demanding coach, the Hurricanes worked to rewrite their story, ending the season with a record of 7 wins and 2 losses.

Opening up the season with a dominating first three games where they won by an average margin of victory of 49 points, the Hurricanes looked unstoppable. Going into week 4, they knew a lot was riding on their shoulders, and many felt like it was their first real challenge against Wahconah. Despite a closer game, the Hurricanes still looked excellent and were able to pull out with a win, solidifying their presence as a top team in Western Mass.

The Hurricanes were led by a group of dedicated captains who set the tone both on and off the field. Jameson Dion, Neil Cunniffe, Matthew Hockman, Junior Ramsey, and Thatcher Rudnick steered the team towards success. Their leadership extended far beyond game strategy; they inspired their teammates through their hard work and dedication.

Hockman had a lot of praise for his teammates. “Jameson ‘Jesus Christ’ Dion was amazing on the field, with almost 1000 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns,” he said. “But it wasn’t just Jameson. We had some fantastic transfers this season, including Gavier ‘NeNe’ Fernandez and Raymond Colon. With a new quarterback under center, our passing game really opened up, giving us more options to make big plays.” 

Captain Neil Cunniffe wasn’t the only star in his family; his brother Owen Cunniffe who excelled in the offensive line was also pivotal in the team’s success. “He was able to make key blocks that allowed those big plays to happen,” said Hockman.

Hockman reflected on the tough 2-6 season from the previous year, yet managed to extract valuable moments that contributed to their success this year. “After Jameson got injured last year, a lot of other players learned to run the ball like Junior and me,” said Hockman. “Because of that, we could be a lot more versatile with the plays we ran and got Jameson more involved in the passing game.”

Leading this team was Head Coach Vinny Guiel, recognized for his very straightforward coaching style. His motto, “Hate me now, thank me later,” reflects his intensity and dedication. “He pushed us to our limits because he knows it’ll pay off,” said Hockman. “We were not just playing; we were preparing.”

Neil Cunniffe elaborated on the team’s training. “Our practice week was well-structured to ensure we were prepared for each game,” he said. “Mondays wre for film and special teams. Tuesdays we focused on offense, Wednesdays on defense, Thursdays on walkthroughs, and Fridays were game days.” 

This approach to practice ensured the Hurricanes were well-prepared for their matchups allowing them to reach their short and long-term goals. 

“Our goal each week was to get a win and each month to maintain our winning streak,” Neil Cunniffe said. “Ultimately, we aimed to claim victory in [whatever challenge we faced].”