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Welcome to the Home of
Lee High School Wildcat Football
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Chicken & Polenta Dinner on Saturday January 28th
January 28, 2012 —
OUR POLENTA CHICKEN DINNER WAS A GREAT SUCCESS. SPECIAL THANKS TO PETER AND MARIA NEWMAN FOR ALL THEIR EFFORTS IN MAKING THIS EVENT SUCH A GREAT SUCCESS. THANK YOU PETER AND MARIA. THANKS GOES OUT TO EVERYONE WHO MADE SAUCE AND CONTRIBUTED TO MAKING THE EVENT RUN SMOOTHLY. TO ALL OUR PARENTS AND PLAYERS WHO HELPED PREP, SET UP, SERVE AND CLEAN UP, YOUR EFFORTS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED BY ALL THE PLAYERS AND COACHING STAFF.
Lee Wildcats Football Banquet to be held February 12, 2012
January 16, 2012 —
The Lee High Football gridiron club will hold our 2011 Super Bowl Season banquet on Sunday, February 12, 2012 at the Stockbridge Sportsman's Club on Rte. 102 in Stockbridge. The banquet will start at 4PM with check in and a social hour from 4 to 5PM. Dinner will be served at 5Pm sharp. The Wildcats are pleased to welcome home one of their own to speak at our banquet, our guest speaker will be Lee High alumnus, Mr. Dick Lenfest, director of athletics at Westfield University. Invitations have been mailed and you must RSVP b y January 31st to Jacquie Loehr, 61 Fox Run Lee, MA 01238. Tickets are $25.00 per person. Players and coaches are guests of the Gridiron. Anyone who has a hardship is encouraged to have your athlete speak to Coach Thomson and we will accomodate them. If you do not recieve an invite by Tuesday please contact Coach Thomson or Billy Loehr at billyloehr1962@aol.com. We are looking forward to a fun evening of celebrating Lee Wildcat Football.
Super Season and a December to Remember Come to a Close
WESTFIELD -- Soaked by a celebratory bucket of water, Mount Greylock football coach Shawn Flaherty embraced his quarterback, Kent Hanson.
It was the poignant end of a partnership that brought the Mounties two Western Mass. Division III Super Bowl wins. The final act was perhaps the duo's greatest.
"It is [emotional]," Flaherty, struggling to find the words, said. "It's been four years. This means a lot."
When the Mounties struggled early in the title game on Saturday against Lee, Flaherty turned to Hanson. The senior took over, rushing nine times for 54 of his 96 yards in a late first-half scoring drive that gave Greylock all the points it really needed in a 16-0 win over the Wildcats at Westfield State University.
Lee (10-3) found ways to get to running back Ethan Ryan, allowing him just six yards in the first half. The Mounties (12-0) saw the writing on the wall and quickly let Hanson run wild.
"I don't think they were ready for me to rush like I did today," Hanson said. "... Just keep the legs going and keep looking forward and try to keep your balance."
Ryan would get his own touchdown on a nine-yard run in the second half that provided the insurance Greylock needed to clinch a second consecutive sectional crown. Hanson said Lee's vicious blitzes against Ryan (56 yards rushing) and Kurt Schultheis (13) were making life difficult for them in the backfield.
Greylock's opening drive netted negative
yardage. They looked better the second time, getting a first down on an 11-yard juggled reception by Ryan. But outside that catch, the Mounties gained just 2.4 yards per play.
"I think [our] defense played real well. They're just on the field too much," said Lee coach Keith Thomson. "Hats off to them. That's a championship defense over there. We really lost the battle of time of possession. At the end of the day our defense was just on the field too long." Thomson's D got just a two-play break after shutting down Greylock's second drive. Hank Barrett picked off Wildcats quarterback Cam Keenan on second down, giving Hanson the ball near midfield. It was the senior's time. "It seemed like [Hanson] was the best medicine to alleviate their blitzing," Flaherty said. "We just kind of spread the field or put him in shotgun. He just does a great job of finding the soft spots. It was huge. It was huge for him."
Hanson took the ball seven straight times on that first-half drive, including a 19-yard rush where he just kept going, rolling off defenders and finding daylight.
"He knew where to go in the open space," Keenan said. "Smart player. We knew we could stop their run all day, no matter what. But we had to stop Kent and he just had a good game."
The Wildcats never could answer that score. Lee had some momentum coming out of the half, driving down to the Greylock 44-yard line before a fake punt failed on fourth-and-9. The Wildcats wouldn't get another first down, finishing with just three. The Mounties held Lee to 70 total yards of offense, getting a late interception from Noah Kelley to seal the win. Nate Buratto led the Wildcats with 41 yards on the ground.
Greylock hasn't lost in more than two years. The Mounties will have a new quarterback next year, but Hanson and Flaherty's run will be tough to forget.
"This was big," Hanson said. "I never thought this could happen. I'm just glad it did for my years here. I'm glad we had this great a team for this long."
All Your Fans are Very Proud of You!
LEE PUTS OUT LIGHTS ON BELCHERTOWNS SEASON
November 29, 2011 —
Wednesday November 30, 2011
WESTFIELD -- The first playoff game in a while for the Lee football team was a wet, strange -- but in the end, successful -- affair.
The Wildcats overcame a pair of lengthy delays, a pouring rain and four turnovers to defeat Belchertown 14-6 in the Western Massachusetts Division III semifinal Tuesday night at Western State University.
The No. 3 Wildcats (10-2) limited the No. 3 Orioles (9-3) to 94 total yards and one score. They held superstar quarterback Chris Ladd to just 37 passing yards and 22 rushing before Ladd left the game with an injury.
"I can't say enough about our defense," said Lee coach Keith Thomson. "They get the credit for the win. I wasn't happy about the turnovers, but our defense held them back. But Belchertown gave us a great battle."
With just over seven minutes left in the half, the lights on the field went completely black due to a power surge in Westfield.
Following the 15-minute break, Lee found the end zone in five plays. Jake Kelley picked up a fourth-and-2 with a 9-yarder on a pitch to the left. He then capped the march with a 23-yard touchdown around the right side.
It took the Orioles just over three minutes to respond. James Ryan got them moving with a weaving 35-yard run from the Belchertown 22 to the Lee 43. The play represented the Orioles initial first-down of the contest and their first venture into Lee territory.
Ladd hit Nick Leduc over the middle for a 26-yard
the 15. On the subsequent third-and-6 from the 11, Steve Boudreau made a nice catch to pick up 8 to the Wildcats 3.
On first-and-goal, Ladd took it on a keeper to the right for the score. After a roughing call on the point after, Belchertown elected to go for two points, but Ladd's pass was knocked down and Lee retained the lead at 7-6.
Lee charged right back in five plays to increase its advantage before halftime. Kelley carried three times for 28 yards on the drive, with Keenan adding a 30-yard option keeper to the right. Kelley went in from 14 yards with just 15 seconds left.
"When we scored before the half, it was a huge momentum shift," said senior Nate Buratto, who rushed 12 times for 57 yards. "We just trusted in our line, buckled down, and made the plays."
Kelley finished the contest with 131 yards on 19 carries and the two scores. Keenan was effective on the option, with 99 yards on 14 attempts.
Lee turned the ball over three times in the second half on muffed snaps. However, the Orioles could do nothing with the chances.
Belchertown was presented with a great opportunity when a botched snap led to a Tony Pellerin recovery on the Wildcats 39. Ladd picked up a first down before the Orioles turned it over on downs.
Midway through the third, Ladd went down after a run by Keenan. He left the game, and the Orioles' chances left with him.
Both teams had a very shaky start to the game, as both tried to employ a short passing game. However, partly due to the slick conditions, neither group of receivers could hold on to the ball.
Lee drove from their own 12 to the Belchertown 12 early in the second. A 25-yard run around the right side by Keenan set the Wildcats up for the first scoring opportunity.
On third-and-10, Keenan rolled right while being chased by Ladd. He fired across his body to the end zone, but Jake Loughman broke up the pass. Fernando Castro then sent a 29-yard field goal attempt off the right upright.
Lee gets a rematch with Mount Greylock in the Super Bowl. The Mounties defeated the Wildcats 28-14 on Oct. 7.
"We played Greylock tough in that game, now we've won seven straight," said Thomson. "We've been on a roll ever since our backs have been against the wall."
Said Buratto, "We want revenge. We've come this far, it's time to get it done."
LEE BATTLES BELCHERTOWN IN PLAYOFF OPENER
The Lee Wildcats earned the number two seed in the Division III Super Bowl play-off and will be the designated home team as they take on number three seed, Belchertown. The Wildcats will square off against the Orioles at Westfield University at 7:30 PM on Tuesday, November 29th. For more info on the Division III tourney go to www.masslive.com. Come on down to Westfield and support the Wildcat's.
"There was something in the air that night, the stars were bright .. FERNANDO!
LEE DOMINATES DRURY AGAIN 24-6
November 11, 2011 —
By Dick Lindsay, Berkshire Eagle Staff
LEE -- The Lee High Wildcats used a balanced offensive attack to beat the Drury Blue Devils Friday night, 24-6.
Lee finishes the regular season with a six-game winning streak and an overall record of 9-2 - the Wildcats best season under seventh-year head coach Keith Thomson.
The Wildcats will now play Nov. 29 in a first-round Division III Super Bowl Tournament playoff game.
Thomson said the key to his team’s success this year is that no one player carries the load, especially on offense.
"There isn’t any one guy [our opponents] can stop," he said. "We have five guys who can do the job in the backfield."
Thomson referring to seniors Jake Kelley, Cam Loehr, Lucas Withers and Nate Buratto. They combined for 135 yards rushing and two touchdowns - Withers a 5-yard run and Loehr a 17-yard blast up the middle -- against Drury. Senior quarterback Cam Keenan also got into the scoring act with 12-yard scoring pass to Kelley to cap a 24-0 halftime lead.
Sandwiched in between the touchdowns was a 42-yard field goal by Fernando Castro, his seventh of the season.
Lee only had 163 yards of total offense for the game, relying on two fumbles and a botched punt by Drury deep in Blue Devils that set up two of the Wildcats’ touchdowns and the field goal.
"When you give a great football team like Lee a short field to work with, it’s hard to win," said Drury head coach Bill Bryce.
The Blue Devils were undermanned when it stepped onto the John J. Consolati Field. Since losing at Lee three weeks ago, 31-6, Bryce said his squad has lost eleven players due to injury or academic ineligibility. Nevertheless, he said he was proud is team tried to make a game of it in the second half.
After Drury recovered a Lee fumble at the Wildcat 45-yard line with 4:30 left in the third quarter, Robert Jutras scored on a 28-yard romp down the right sideline on the sixth play of the drive. The two-point conversion cut the lead to 24-8.
The Wildcats coughed up the ball again with about 3:30 left in the game at its 43. The Blue Devils got down to the Lee 4-yard line with under a minute to play, but Withers picked off a Jake Dilego pass in the end zone to end the threat and the game.
Kelley wasn’t surprised Drury hung tough.
"They have some good players," said the Lee co-captain. "We weren’t expecting a blowout like last time and they gave us a fight at the end."
LEE REMEMBERS OUR VETERANS- 2011 VETERANS DAY
Coach Thomson says "We got the onside kick" !!!!!
CATS MAKE CASE FOR PLAYOFFS 28-6
By Dick Lindsay, Berkshire Eagle Staff,
Saturday November 12, 2011
LEE -- Score early, score often and let the defense close out the win. The Lee High Wildcats employed that strategy for the third straight week on Friday afternoon in beating Joseph Case High School, 28-6.
Lee built up a 28-0 halftime lead on the strength of three touchdowns within a four-minute span of the second quarter, before the Cardinals from Swansea scored their lone touchdown to start the second half.
The Wildcats have outscored their opponents in the first half of their last three home victories, 63-6 and 86-12 overall, including a 31-6 thrashing of Drury. The Blue Devils and Lee (8-2) will meet here Friday at 7 p.m. in the Plus One weekend opener.
Wildcats head coach Keith Thomson expects a much tougher rematch with their North County foe.
"They’re going to come down here angry after the first game," Thomson said. "Over the years they’ve become a pretty good rival."
Thomson’s senior quarterback, Cam Keenan expects his teammates will be ready for round two with Drury.
"We need to work hard in practice and make sure we stop their run," said Keenan. After a missed field goal on the game’s opening drive, the Wildcats scored on their next four possessions sparked by Keenan’s 54-yard touchdown pass to Aaron Biasin at the 4:50 mark of the first quarter.
Cam Loehr scored the next two touchdowns on 1- and 5-yard runs, scores set up by a Loehr interception and the
Wildcats recovering the subsequent kick-off at the Case 37-yard line.
Running back Nate Buratto capped the Lee scoring blitz with a 13-yard run; five plays after he intercepted a pass from Case quarterback Taylor Furtado. Furtado would finally get the Cardinals on the scoreboard when he returned the second half opening kick-off 102 yards to the Lee end zone.
If you can't get through um Loehr, go over um !!!!
Lee Swarms Spartans on Senior Night 27-0
November 4, 2011 —
By Dick Lindsay, Berkshire Eagle Staff
LEE -- The Lee defense pitched a shutout both on the scoreboard and the stat sheet Friday night, as the Wildcats blanked South County rival Monument Mountain, 27-0.
The Spartans never came close to the end zone, crossing midfield only once. The visitors were also held to zero total yards thanks to a smothering defense that recorded 13 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
"We pride ourselves on a defense that doesn’t give up many yards," said linebacker Jake Kelley.
"Defense is what we hang our hat on," said Wildcats coach Keith Thomson.
After spotting Wahconah a 14-0 first-quarter lead three weeks ago, Lee has given up six points over the next 11 quarters en route to three straight home wins.
Spartans coach Todd Tinker knew his offense was in for a long night.
"We don’t have the experience to stop their blitz," Tinker said.
Early on, Monument’s defense held its own by stopping Lee’s first three drives deep in Spartan territory, twice by recovering two fumbles on the Monument 20-yard line.
However, the Wildcats’ fourth drive was the charm, as Cam Loehr capped a 4-play 43-yard drive with a 27-yard touchdown with three minutes, 28 seconds to play in the first half.
Two minutes later, quarterback Cam Keenan threw the first of his two touchdown passes, a 9-yard strike to a wide-open Kelley in the end zone. The senior running back would also finish the night as the leading
rusher with 131 yards on 20 carries.
Keenan’s second aerial score was a 10-yard pass to Aaron Biasin, late in the second half, sandwiched between a pair of Fernando Castro field goals from 34 and 27 yards.
Nate Buratto bulls through for more yardage
Biasin & Cuevas do the Spartan Stomp
Blondes have more Fun- Our Seniors!
Big Orange defenders Tyler Pressley and Devin Curtin destroy Drury
WILDCATS DESTROY DRURY
By Dick Lindsay, Berkshire Eagle Staff
LEE -- The Lee football team relied on a quick-strike offense and dominating defense Friday night to overpower the Drury Blue Devils, 31-6.
Lee scored on their first three possessions to open up a 20-0 lead with 5 minutes left in the first half. Meanwhile, the defense racked up three quarterback sacks and held Drury to 83 total yards of offense before the visitors scored their lone touchdown as time expired in the first half.
Wildcats head coach Keith Thomson felt the team credits good preparation for the fast start.
"We had a great week of practice and we scouted them well," Thomson said.
After the Lee defense stopped Drury's opening drive at midfield, the Wildcats scored on their third play from scrimmage. Quarterback Cam Keenan rolled to his right and tossed a screen pass to Aaron Biasin, who sprinted 66 yards down the left sideline, thanks to a downfield block by Devin Curtin.
The Wildcats struck again 5 minutes later on the final play of the first quarter, when Cam Loehr scored on a 12-yard run. The senior running back followed up his first career 100-yard game last week with a 93-yard one-touchdown performance again the Blue Devils.
After another defensive stop by the Lee defense, Thomson dipped into his bag of offensive tricks. On second and nine from the Drury 43-yard line, Keenan threw to Biasin behind the line of scrimmage who then floated a pass to a wide-open Jake Kelley. Kelley caught the ball at the
25-yard line, turned and outran the Blue Devil defense to the end zone.
Keenan credited the offensive line for creating such big plays.
"Our holes were huge tonight," said the senior signal caller. "You could have driven a truck through them."
"They beat us on very quick plays," said Blue Devils head coach Bill Bryce. "We were shell-shocked by the time we recovered."
Lee left 37 seconds on the clock before halftime, giving Drury a chance to mount a quick-strike drive of its own. Fullback Robert Jutras scored on a two-yard plunge on the last play of the half, capping a six-play, 75-yard drive.
The Wildcats put the game out of reach in the second half, as Kelley scored on a 2-yard run in the first 3 minutes. Lee then went into ball-control mode on its next possession. The black and orange chewed up 10 minutes on the clock by going on a 18-play, 60-yard drive finished off by a Fernando Castro 19-yard field goal -- his fourth of the season.
Lee linebacker Armani Ingegni, who had one of his best defensive games of the season with several solo tackles, some at or behind the line of scrimmage, feels the team is peaking at the right time.
"We're getting better every week and we're communicating well on the field," said Ingegni.
Keenan chimed in saying, "And we love to hit." The Wildcats are home on Friday, November 4th against Monument for Senior Night. The Lee Gridiron Club will honor all the Wildcat seniors and their parents prior to the start of the game. Festivities will start at 6:30 PM.
Lucas Withers powers up field in dominating win over Drury
With a Warrior down and out, Wildcat Cam Loehr heads for the endzone
photo courtesy of: Berkshots by Reinout van Wagtendonk
"RALLY CATS" -COME BACK KIDS COME HOME AND WALLOP WARRIORS
October 22, 2011 —
LEE -- Cam Loehr rushed for a career-high 101 yards and two touchdowns, sparking the Lee Wildcats to a come-from-behind 24-14 win against the Wahconah Warriors at John J. Consolati Field on Friday night.
Trailing 14-0 after the first quarter, Loehr was inserted into the Lee offense when fellow running back Nate Buratto went to the sideline with a nagging ankle injury. The senior scored on runs of three and 24 yards as part of the Wildcats' 24-point offensive explosion in the last seven minutes of the second quarter.
While Loehr's quickness and speed jump-started the Lee offense and seemed to catch the Wahconah defense off-guard, he was modest about his unexpected performance.
"I did all the normal plays we run in practice," Loehr said. "I knew what to do and our blocking was better and our play calling smarter."
However, head coach Keith Thomson wasn't surprised Loehr got the Wildcat offense going.
"He was the spark we needed," said Thomson. "We had a lot of success by spreading out their defense."
After a successful 4-1 road trip, the black and orange were playing just their second home game of the season and wondering if they would ever score on their own turf, never mind win a home game. The Wildcats lost their home opener 28-0 to Hoosac Valley and quickly trailed Wahconah 14-0 after the first 11 minutes, before Loehr and Lee took control of the game.
The Warriors scored on the game's opening drive,
going 70 yards on eight plays -- capped by Stephen Shea's two-yard touchdown run at the 7-minute mark of the first quarter. Less than four minutes later, Wahconah quarterback Lane Grogan hooked up with Zach Morey on a 38-yard touchdown pass.
The sudden 14-0 deficit proved to be a wake-up call for the Wildcats on both sides of the ball. The defense shut down the Warriors and forced two turnovers in the second quarter, which allowed the offense to work its rally magic. "We just sucked it up and told ourselves we're not losing at home again," said defensive end Devin Curtin.
The Lee comeback began with Loehr rushing for 46 of the Wildcats' 60 yards on a successful drive. He finished it off with a nifty 3-yard plunge into the end zone.
The Wildcats got the ball back on the ensuing kickoff when kicker Fernando Castro placed the ball in no-man's land between the deep backs and the blocking line in front of them, allowing Lee's Cam Collins to recover the ball at the Wahconah 26-yard line. The Warrior defense hung tough, but Castro came out on fourth down and nailed a 38-yard field goal -- his third of the season -- to cut the lead to 14-10.
While the Warriors returned the kick off to the Lee 45-yard line, the Wildcat defensive line began to put more pressure on Grogan and forced him to throw an interception to Lee's Cam Keenan, who returned the ball to midfield.
Four plays later, Loehr put the Wildcats ahead for good with a 24-yard touchdown along the right sideline, making a quick cutback to the inside to elude the Wahconah defenders.
Following a fumble recovery by Collins on Wahconah's next play from scrimmage, Lee took over on the Warriors' 33 yard line with about two minutes left in the first half. The Wildcats capped their 24-point rally six plays later, when Keenan scored on a quarterback keeper from a yard out. The second half belonged to running back Jake Kelley and the Wildcat defense. Kelley rushed for 61 of his 74 yards as Lee chewed up the clock, keeping the Wahconah offense on the sideline by running 30 plays to the Warriors' 11. Kelley also had three catches for 94 yards, giving him 168 yards of total offense.
Despite giving up two pass plays of 50 yards each, the Lee defense put constant pressure on Grogan, who threw another interception to Keenan on a ball tipped by Curtin.
"We run six different defensive fronts as we try to gve teams a lot of different looks to confuse them," Thomson said.
Curtin expects his team to build upon the comeback win when Lee meets Drury at home next Friday night.
"We're on a roll and don't want to stop," he said.
WILDCAT FOOTBALL HONORS Mr. Z. - HENRY ZUKOWSKI
October 19, 2011 —
The Lee Gridiron Club in conjunction with the 2011 Wildcats Football team dedicated their season on Friday night, October 21st prior to the opening kickoff vs. Wahconah at John Consolati Field. The season and Wildcats program was dedicated to longtime Lee High School legend, Henry Zukowski, (a.k.a. Mr. Z.) He grew up in
Salem, MA and graduated from Boston University after serving in the Marine Corps during World War II. In 1952 he began his teaching career in Business at Lee High School. He was immediately recruited to assist
in coaching the football, basketball, and baseball teams. By the late 1960s Mr. Z was the Wildcat's Head Football Coach competing in
the Inter-County Football League. Mr. Z only held the position of Head Football Coach for a short period of time as in 1969 he was
named Vice Principal of Lee High School. In the mid 1970s the School committee appointed Mr. Z to the position of Golf Coach. Mr. Z
went on to have a brilliant career as golf coach mentoring numerous talented teams and players. Mr. Z progressed through administration in the education system from Vice Principal to Principal to Superintendent of Schools for the Lee Public School District. He was instrumental in the conceptualization and construction of the new school buildings. Mr. Z ultimately retired from his position as Superintendent of Schools in 2000 at the age of 75. Mr. Z is known in athletic circles throughout the commonwealth for his roles on the Western Mass and State golf and softball tournament committees. In 2003 Mr. Z was recognized through the dedication of the auditorium in the newly renovated Lee Middle & High School building as the Henry T. Zukowski Performing Arts Center. Currently, at the age of 86, Mr. Z continues to support, attend, and enjoy Wildcat athletics, reminiscing with school alumni, and acquaintances made throughout the
commonwealth through his nearly 50 years of service to the Lee Public Schools and youth in Lee, Tyringham, and Otis. Mr. Z welcomes locals and visitors alike to his “Office” on Main Street in Lee. Please feel free to stop by and chat.
GO WILDCAT's!
CATS CONQUER CRUSADERS WITH SMOTHERING DEFENSE
October 16, 2011 —
After five straight weeks of road games, Lee football coach Keith Thomson isn't really sure what a home game looks like anymore.
"I really don't," he joked Sunday. "We're excited to go home. It's been a long road trip. We're going home and we're staying home. We couldn't be more pleased."
Lee's long road trip ended in the win column Sunday at Wahconah Park. The Wildcat defense sacked St. Joseph's quarterback Tank Roberson three times and added two interceptions in a 22-6 win.
St. Joe's made things interesting with a touchdown pass from Roberson to Jon Bianchi on the first play of the fourth quarter to cut Lee's lead to 7-6, but it took the Wildcats just three plays to answer the score.
On third-and-1 from the Crusader 49-yard line, Jake Kelley found a big hole up the middle of the St. Joe's defense and ran untouched into the end zone with 9 minutes, 18 seconds remaining. Lee added an unexpected 2-point conversion when, on a botched point-after snap, holder/quarterback Cam Keenan threw back to kicker Fernando Castro. The converted soccer player rumbled into the end zone from there, touching off a loud celebration on a Lee sideline that suddenly led 15-6.
"All of a sudden, he threw it to me," said Castro of Keenan's pass. "I wasn't expecting it. I saw a hole and I ran to the hole."
Kelley ran for 79 yards on 10 carries and a score, while Nate Buratto led all rushers with 85 yards on 11 carries and a score. Both had big gains that padded their stats, and Kelley -- also a linebacker -- wasn't afraid to admit that the defense gave Lee the win.
"We pride ourselves on defense," he said. "We do a good job of getting into people's heads. We were able to come up with the win mostly because of our defense. The offense was not able to really shine until the second half."
Lavante Wiggins ran for a team-high 76 yards on 20 carries for St. Joe's, but the Crusaders turned the ball over on downs three times -- twice inside the Lee 30, and once inside their own 5, which led to Lee's final score. Buratto ran it in from 3 yards with 5:31 left.
"Lavante ran his [butt] off," St. Joe's coach Gary Bianchi said. "Between the tackles, he ran all day long.
"We made some mistakes today, and it's disappointing. The score doesn't [represent] what the game was. It was better than that."
For much of the first half, neither team got much going. St. Joe's first three offensive possessions started inside the Lee 50-yard line, but produced two punts and a turnover on downs. Lee, meanwhile, was pinned inside its own 20 on its first three possessions.
On its first possession of the second quarter, though, Lee went 72 yards in four plays to open the scoring. Keenan's gutsy pitch to Buratto, just before Keenan was brought down, led to a 62-yard gain to the Crusader 7. Two plays later, Keenan ran in from 2 yards out for a 7-0 Lee lead.
Lee hosts Wahconah on Friday -- its first home game since a 28-0 loss to Hoosac Valley in the season's first week.
"We're fired up to get back home," Kelley said. "Five weeks is a long time to be on the road."
by Matthew Sprague: Berkshire Eagle Sports
Greylock outguns Wildcats
October 7, 2011 —
By Neil Benjamin Jr.
North Adams Transcript
WILLIAMSTOWN — For the second consecutive week, the Mount Greylock football team was given a stiff test by a tough opponent.
This time around, the Mounties didn’t play nice, expanding their winning streak to 19 with a 28-14 victory over Lee at home Friday night.
When Wildcats back Jake Kelley scored a touchdown on a pass from Cam Keenan with 7 minutes, 46 seconds remaining in the third quarter, it was the first points allowed by the Mounties all season.
That’s when Greylock (5-0) quarterback Kent Hanson displayed athletic prowess that has become customary this season. The Wildcats had just exposed Greylock’s secondary defense on the Kelley score to cut the deficit to 12-7. On the ensuing kickoff, Hanson stepped back into the end zone, caught the ball, faked out four Lee defenders and sprinted his way to a 100-yard touchdown return to put the game back into Greylock’s hands.
“ Last week was definitely rough, but we came back strong tonight,” Hanson said. “ We didn’t start out like I wanted, but we settled pretty fast.”
Hanson took over the game on both sides of the ball, notching a 14-yard touchdown run, a 22-yard score to Brett McCormack and an interception returned for a touchdown. He finished with two interceptions, and had a hand in every Greylock score.
“There’s no question that he’s the difference in this game,” Lee coach Keith Thomson said. “He just took it over and you have to give him and his entire team credit. Greylock is the real deal.” After a scoreless first quarter that showcased stifling defense on both sides, Hanson struck first with his touchdown run midway through the second. Minutes later, Hanson, heavily pressured running out of the pocket, made a crisp pass to the junior wide receiver McCormack for a 22yard score. Greylock went into the half with a 12-0 advantage.
It was McCormack’s first career touchdown catch.
Lee’s first score came when quarterback Cam Keenan dropped back and made it look like he was going to run, before heaving a 43-yarder to Kelley.
Halfway through the fourth, with Lee down 20-7, Keenan hooked up with Nate Buratto for a 33-yard score to bring the Wildcats within a touchdown and extra point from the lead. Lee opted for the onside kick, and Wildcat Matty Kelley recovered, momentarily silencing the big crowd at John T. Allen Field. It didn’t last long, as Greylock’s Noah Kelley intercepted Keenan’s third- down pass — Keenan’s third of the game — to put the Mounties back in the driver’s seat.
AHH FERNANDO !!!! BOOTS CATS TO VICTORY OVER BRAVES
October 1, 2011 —
By Christopher James
Berkshire Eagle Staff
PITTSFIELD — Lee football coach Keith Thomson had to remind his team on Saturday not to spend much time staring at the scoreboard. With the Wildcats moving the ball well at Taconic High School in spurts, surely those yellow lights would be lighting up with big numbers. Instead, a Fernando Castro 35- yard field goal on Lee’s first possession of the game was all the points Thomson’s team could muster in a 3-0 win over the Braves. “We told the kids earlier in the week it really doesn’t matter what the score is,” Thomson said. “A win is a win. So we’ll take it.”
The Wildcats ( 3- 1, 2- 1 Berkshire County) worked their way around two turnovers and six total fumbles to sneak past the Braves (1-3, 1-3). Jake Kelley ran for 69 yards and quarterback Cam Keenan had 61 through the air on a raw, sloppy day. With intermittent rain pounding down on both teams, the ball seemed to slip and slide out of the hands of ballcarriers.
Lee’s fumbles and turnovers conspired to kill drives where the Wildcats could’ve put the game out of reach. Lee drove to the Taconic 14- yard line on its opening drive of the second half before that was ended by a fumble. The Wildcats’ next drive ended on an interception. It didn’t help that Lee’s starting center, Chris Cuevas, went down with an injury late
in the game. Luckily for the guests, the Braves were unable to capitalize.
The ball wasn’t really wet,” said Keenan, who struggled with several snaps. “For some reason I just couldn’t get a hold of it. I don’t know if it was a bad snap or just me. I kept messing up. ... It was just the day I think. Everybody was a little out of it.”
Keenan still came up big when Lee needed him. After Taconic got an interception near midfield, the Braves put together one of their best drives of the game, reaching the Lee 26-yard line. On fourth-and-4, Keenan and Armani Ingegni got to Taconic’s Trayvon Sims, who had rushed for 18 yards on the drive, before he got to the line of scrimmage. Sims finished with 16 yards rushing, while Zack Conklin led the team with 22 on the ground.
" That was definitely our chance,” said Braves coach Vinny Barbarotta. “ We got good momentum. They didn’t quit. ... I couldn’t be prouder of that defense. They made a good stand against that football team. They’re coming. They’re starting to get it. We’re learning how to punch teams back in the mouth that have been punching us.”
Lee was able to deliver the blow Taconic couldn’t, driving back down the field and running out the clock. The Wildcats got a couple big plays to extend the drive, including two fourth- down plays. The killer may have been Keenan’s 23-yard pass to Aaron Biasin for a first down after a penalty had given them a long second down play.
While Kelley and Thomson were happy to escape with the win, they’ll need more than a field goal and a couple big runs to get the same result next week against unbeaten Mount Greylock.
“It seemed like every time we got in the red zone the ball would end up on the ground,” Kelley said. “It’s frustrating. ... Turnovers really killed us. We were able to pound the ball. We got lucky. Turnovers, we definitely got to work on turnovers.”
Founder's Day Fundraiser a Big Success !!!!
Our Founder's Day Fundraiser this weekend was a big success. Thank you's go out to Maria Newman, Lisa Kelley, John Kelley, Wendy Collins, Dan Collins, Jan LePrevost, Brian Buratto, and Sheri LePrevost. Thanks to all for all your help. This was a great fundraiser for Lee Wildcat Football !!!!
BIG ORANGE PUT BIG HURT ON GENERALS
September 25, 2011 —
By Matthew Sprague
Berkshire Eagle Staff
PITTSFIELD — A balanced approach on offense led Lee High School’s football team to victory Sunday. Not between the run and the pass, mind you, but balance within the run game.
“We’ve got a good, balanced backfield,” senior running back Lucas Withers said. “ We’ve got speed backs and power backs.”
Withers provided both Sunday, rushing for 76 yards and two touchdowns as the Wildcats shut out Pittsfield 35-0 at Taconic High School. Lee (2-1, 1-1 league) ran for 177 yards as a team and held a 28-0 lead at the half. Jake Kelley added 70 more yards and a first-quarter score, while quarterback Cam Keenan threw for one TD and ran for another.
“That’s our game,” Wildcats coach Keith Thomson said. “If we can’t establish [the run], we’re out of our game.
“We moved them off the ball and our backs ran hard. They didn’t go down with the first tackle.”
Lee prevailed despite losing three fumbles. It helped, of course, that Pittsfield ( 0- 3) committed five turnovers of its own.
The Generals’ offense reached Lee territory just twice, and came away with a turnover on downs to end the first half and a fumble in the backfield scooped up and returned by Lee’s Cam Collins.
“We just keep shooting ourselves in the foot,” PHS coach Brian Jezewski said. “Things are wide-open and we’re not executing. Things that aren’t there, when we change plays, we’re still not executing. It’ll come together.”
Pittsfield did have more first downs than Lee, and Derek Glass gained a workman-like 75 yards on 18 carries. Still, the Generals’ offense found itself regularly losing the battle of field position. Lee kicker Fernando Castro forced four touchbacks Sunday.
players in the county. He first started talking to me about playing football as a junior. He had a hard time giving up soccer; he’s loved it all his life.”
“ He’s got a boot,” Withers noted. “ Today was a good day for him, obviously.”
Lee punted on its opening possession, and never punted again after that. Kelley capped a six-play drive — which was set up by Pittsfield’s first fumble — with a 14-yard run and a 7-0 Wildcat lead.
The next Lee possession started in PHS territory after a punt, and the Wildcats went 45 yards in four plays. Withers rumbled in from 34 yards out to make the score 14-0.
Biasin caught a pass from Keenan to score at the 8:17 mark of the second, with the play covering 16 yards. Withers closed out the first-half scoring with a 37-yard TD at the 5:05 mark to give Lee a 28-0 lead.
“We matched them physically up front,” Jezewski said. “We’re just not executing right now.”
Brady Aitken, lining up under center for the Generals, rushed for 38 yards on 13 carries in Pittsfield’s double-slotback, triple-option set. Derrick Saunders ran for 46 yards.
“ We’ve had three tough games against three really good football programs,” Jezewski said. “It’s going to come together. It’s going to snap and we’re going to be fine. It’s got to.”
Lee 35, Pittsfield 0
Lee 14 14 0 7—35 Pittsfield 0 0 0 0—0 Scoring Summary First Quarter L—Jake Kelley 14 run (Fernando Castro kick), 5:31 L—Lucas Withers 34 run (Castro kick), 1:50 Second Quarter
L—Aaron Biasin 16 pass from Cam Keenan (Castro kick), 8:17 L—Withers 37 run (Castro kick), 5:05 Fourth Quarter
L—Keenan 3 run (Castro kick), 8:20
L P
First downs 8 10 Rushes-yards 31-177 45-155 Comp-Att-Int 1-2-0 2-8-1 Passing yards 16 8 Penalties-yards 4-30 5-36 Fumbles-lost 4-3 4-4 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING— Lee, Kelley 11- 70, Withers 5-76, Nate Buratto 5-24, Keenan 5- 5, Ryan Hurley 3- 4, Deaglan Giarolo 1-(minus 1), Cam Loehr 1-( minus 1). Pittsfield, Derek Glass 18-75, Brady Aitken 13- 38, Derrick Saunders 8- 46, Matt Russett 3-4, Hezekia Adams 1-(minus 2), Ty Discoe 1-(minus 6). PASSING—Lee, Keenan 1-2-0 16. Pittsfield, Aitken 2- 7- 1 8, Saunders 0-1-0 0.
RECEIVING—Lee, Biasin 1-16. Pittsfield, Tyler Mayes 1-7, Glass 1-1.
“He has been a godsend,” Thomson said. “He was one of the best soccer
Who is our mystery water boy on the left ?
CATS ROLL OVER MAHAR
September 16, 2011 —
ORANGE — It was a brand new week for the Lee High School football team.
One week after committing five turnovers in a 28- 0 loss to Hoosac Valley, the Wildcats were on the positive end of four turnovers as they turned in a solid effort on both sides of the ball to rout Mahar Regional School, 44-7, in an independent game on Friday.
Lee used three second-quarter turnovers to build a 28-0 lead at halftime and never looked back, tacking on two more touchdowns and a 32yard field goal from Fernando Castro in the second half to seal the win.
“ My college coach taught me that only one thing [matters] besides the final score, and that’s turnovers,” Lee coach Keith Thomson explained. “We were able to turn them over and that gave us short fields and we were able to capitalize on that.”
The big swing came in the second quarter with Lee holding a 7-0 advantage. After an interception by the Lee defense with six minutes left, Jake Kelley (158 yards rushing on 11 carries) took the first play 47 yards to paydirt for a 14-0 lead.
The ensuing Senator possession ended in two plays when Mahar running back Troix Adams was clocked and fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Cam Collins at the Mahar 49. Two plays later Kelley again found the end zone from 38 yards out for a 21-0 lead.
The defense didn’t stop there for Lee, as Aaron Biasin picked off Mahar quarterback Logan Barrett three plays into the next drive, and Biasin returned the ball 27 yards to the Mahar 8. Two plays later Lee quarterback Cam Keenan hit Biasin with a 7-yard pass with 20.7 seconds and Lee had the 28-0 edge at the break.
“Last week we were very disappointed with our effort on defense,” Thomson explained. “We didn’t communicate well, we were out of position a lot of times. First week jitters or call it whatever you’d like, but our deal is that we like to get a lot of hats to the football and I thought we were swarming tonight. We made a lot of big hits and the guys were getting there and you could feel the energy build.”
Keenan hit Nate Buratto with a 54-yard touchdown pass on Lee’s first possession of the second half, and Lucas Withers took in a score from three yards out seven seconds into the fourth quarter for the final Lee scores of the game. Keenan finished 4-for-5 for 83 yards with two passing touchdowns and a 3- yard touchdown rush that put Lee on the board in the first quarter. Those were the first two touchdown passes of Keenan’s varsity career.
Mahar, meanwhile, struggled mightily with its top two offensive weapons only able to watch from the sidelines. Starting quarterback Travon Godette and running back Jesse Lacroix were both out with injuries and the offense struggled, gaining just 19 yards in the first half and 46 yards for the game.
Lee 44, Mahar 7
By Jason Butynski
Special to The Eagle
REMEMBERING SEPTEMBER 11, 2001- LEST WE FORGET
2011 LEE WILDCATS FOOTBALL
LEE HIT BY HURRICANE
September 9, 2011 —
By Howard Herman
Berkshire Eagle Staff
LEE — Fernando Castro’s 35-yard field goal attempt in the first quarter had plenty of leg but was just wide right.
That turned out to be the high point for host Lee, because Hoosac Valley went 80 yards in seven plays for the first of three first-half touchdowns in a 28-0 win Friday night. It was the season opener for both teams.
“That was huge. Before that, we were a little down on ourselves,” Hoosac running back Judge Duval said. “Right after that, we kicked in and pounded it the whole game.”
And Duval was the No. 1 pounder. The senior running back carried the ball 21 times for 135 yards and three touchdowns. He scored on a 37-yard run in the first quarter and on run of 7 and 15 yards in the second quarter. “Judgie did an excellent job,” quarterback Tanner Bird said. “He had three touchdowns, played a hell of a defense, had an interception and ran his heart out.”
Things didn’t, however, go nearly as well for the hosts.
“It was a nightmare, plain and simple,” Lee coach Keith Thomson said. “I think we made every mistake we possibly could make. We shot ourselves in the foot.”
The Wildcats lost two of four fumbles and quarterback Cam Keenan was intercepted three times. Two of the five Wildcat turnovers led to Hurricane touchdowns.
Jake Kelley had a good night, rushing for 84 yards on 12 carries, but the Wildcats couldn’t get in the end zone.
Back to the first quarter where things started well for Lee, forcing Hoosac to go three- and- out and punt.
The Wildcats took over on their 49- yard line and Nate Buratto gashed the Hoosac defense for 16 yards. Lee marched to the Hoosac 17 where the drive stalled as Jake Kelley could only gain four yards on a third and nine from the 21. Hoosac took over on its 20 and Matt Braman went for 16 yards and a first down. Braman, a sophomore, carried the ball seven times for 47 yards in his first varsity start.
The Hurricanes ground game was eating up chunks of yardage when Duval burst outside on the right and sprinted away from the Lee defense for a 37-yard touchdown run. Ian Hill’s kick put the Hurricanes up 7-0, a lead they did not surrender.at the Wildcat 41 and on offense threw to Braman for 34 yards to the seven. One play later, Duval followed the right side of the offensive line and took it to paydirt. The PAT kick made it 14-0.
Another Wildcat turnover led to a third touchdown. Castro couldn’t handle the long snap in punt formation and he was tackled at the Lee 18. Duval converted on third down, going 15 yards for the score and the kick put Hoosac up 21-0.
As a team, Hoosac gained 212 of its 248 total yards on the ground, running on 39 of 45 plays.
On the third play of the next drive, Bird picked off Cam Keenan’s pass at the Wildcat 41 and on offense threw to Braman for 34 yards to the seven. One play later, Duval followed the right side of the offensive line and took it to paydirt. The PAT kick made it 14-0.
Another Wildcat turnover led to a third touchdown. Castro couldn’t handle the long snap in punt formation and he was tackled at the Lee 18. Duval converted on third down, going 15 yards for the score and the kick put Hoosac up 21-0.
As a team, Hoosac gained 212 of its 248 total yards on the ground, running on 39 of 45 plays.
LEE SENIORS DONATE TO LEE HIGH ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT
September 12, 2011 —
The Lee High Football senior class presented Lee athletic director Art Reilly with a check for $225.00 this week before practice to support Lee Athletics and the new Lee High School Store. The seniors raised the money at their car wash last Saturday at Legacy Bank in Lee. Mr. Reilly along with Mrs. Brouker, Lee High physical education teacher are spearheading the new school store. Mr. Reilly thanked the boys for their generous donation. The class along with the Gridiron Club also presented Coach Reilly with the new Wildcats football hoodie. Way to go guys !!!!!!
Workin at the Car Wash- yeah !!!!!
Thank you to all our seniors who did a great job at the car wash, they managed to make over $700.00 and drive Mr. Loehr and Mr. Buratto crazy at the same time. Special thanks to Brian and Michelle Buratto, Tom Biasin, Wendy Collins, Laurie Keenan, and Tanya Ochs for all your help. We couldn't do it without dedicated parents, thank you. Thanks also to freshmen Jason LePrevost and Dan Griffin who came and helped even though they didn't have to. Thanks guys !!!!
Text Alerts for Schedule & Practice Changes
Any parent or player who would like to receive text alerts from Coach Thomson and the Gridiron concerning practice schedule changes, cancellations, or Lee Football news can go to the bottom lower left corner of the website and sign up for a myleaguelineup account. Once your account is created you can go back to the myleaguelineup box and sign up to receive text alerts and enter in your cell number and carrier. These alerts will also be sent directly to the email address you register with. This is a great way to keep informed as to any changes in the practice times, schedule, cancellations, Gridiron meetings and Lee High Football events. If your player doesn't keep you informed we can. Sign up now!!! If you have trouble registering send Billy a email and he will walk you through the process. As of Sunday 9/4 only ten parents have signed up.
Gold Card Blitz Night a Big Success
August 31, 2011 —
The Lee High Football Gold Card Blitz Night was a big success. Thanks to all the players, coaches and parents who worked so hard to make this fund raiser a big success. We sold almost as many cards as last year with fewer players and in a tough economic climate. What a great job by the players. A big thank you to all the coaches, players, our drivers; Tim LePrevost, Dan Collins, Becky Brunell, Kyle DeSantis, Coach Abby, Maria Newman, and John Kelley, our Blitz organizers; Brian Buratto and Wendy Collins. Special thanks also to Matt Ross of National Fundraising. Out top sellers this year were Colin Abderhalden and Jake Burnell, way to go guys!!! Our next fundraiser is the car wash this Saturday from 12:30 to 4 PM at Legacy Bank in Lee. Stop by a get a car wash from out buff senior boys !!!
Thanksgiving Baskets for the Needy
The Wildcats finished up an exciting season with the assembly of their Thanksgiving Baskets for the needy. The players collected food at Lee High School from fellow students and teachers each morning prior to Thanksgiving. On Monday evening the players assembled the baskets along with a holiday turkey at St. Mary's School and then they were distributed to those in need by the Gridiron Club later that night. Overall, seventeen baskets were filled to the top with a variety of Thanksgiving favorites. What a great way for the Wildcats to help those less fortunate. Great job gentlemen !!
WILDCATS GIVE BACK
November 16, 2010 —
The Lee Wildcats football team continued their week of community service on Sunday afternoon after their exciting win over Wahconah on Saturday evening. The Wildcats hosted the Community Dinner at the First Congregational Church in Lee. The players gathered food for the pasta dinner, set up the hall,worked on food prep, served their dinner guests and then did dishes and cleaned up the hall. The players had a good will offering at the dinner and made a generous donation to the St. George Food Pantry with the offering. All the players participated either by setting up, food prep, serving and clean up. The players were assisted by Lee Gridiron member Maria Newman who coordinated the dinner along with other Gridiron members. The Wildcats also held a Thanksgiving Food Basket Drive at the school all week and collected food to be placed in Thanksgiving Food Baskets for those less fortunate. The baskets will be distributed the week of Thanksgiving along with a tasty turkey. Way to go Wildcats !!!
GIVING BACK - HAYLEIGH'S HELPERS
Lee High Wildcat Football players gather around Lee Wildcats assistant Coach Tony Porrini after Coach Porrini,his family,friends and the Wildcats helped to set up and get ready for the Hayleigh Porrini Benefit Dinner at St.Mary's School on Saturday afternoon. Halyleigh is Coach Porrini's young niece who is fighting leukemia. The Wildcat players helped set up the hall, pick up raffle items and other donated items from community business's throughout the morning. Then it was home to rest before the big game with Wahconah on Saturday night.
BLAST FROM THE PAST
Can you find some of our Lee High Football coaches as well as a few of our Lee Youth Football coaches ? We also see one of our captain's dad in there. Send us an email and identify the players by name and number. No cheating !!!!!
Lee-Drury Photos by Reinout Wagtendonk from Berkshots
Photo by Caroline Bonnivier Snyder
Wildcats Football Golf Tourney a Big Success
June 2, 2010 – 01:00 PM —
The Lee Wildcats Football 2010 Pigskin Classic was held on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at beautiful Greenock Country Club in Lee under ideal weather with lots of sunshine. Players teed off at 1:00 PM in a shot-gun start after lunch under the tent. This was a great get together and a major fundraiser for Lee High Football. We had a great raffle table with many great prizes. Thank-you to Kitty Curtin for all her hard work in organizing our raffle table and soliciting all of our generous business donors. Pro shop credit was paid out to all our winners. We also had closest to the pin contests on all the par 3's. We hope everyone had a great day. The Gridiron would like thank everyone who helped out for this important fundraiser. Special thanks goes out to Coach Thomson, Coach Abderhalden, Dan & Wendy Collins, Kitty Curtin, Lisa Kelley, Kyle DeSantis, Brian Buratto, Billy Loehr, Laurie Keenan, Terri DiGrigoli, Bill Nappo, Jodi Carlino, Laurie Nikituk, Matt Withers, Joan Tyer, and Tina Drake for all their hard work in making the tourney a great success. The Gridiron would also like to thank all our loyal sponsors who support Lee Football year after year. Please make sure you support all of the great people and business's who give so generously. Thank-you Tim & Mary Whalen from Crown Jewlers, Clifford Oil, Becky & Bill Brunell from RW's Towing, MacFarlane Office Products, Bob Daley from Daley Trucking, the boys at South Lee Fire Co., Lenoxdale Fire, Chief Driscoll and the boys from Lee Fire, Bobby Piccolo from B&B Landscaping, Giardina & bressett, Glen Wilcox from Wilcox Plumbing, Don & Dave from the Locker Room, Dan & Elaine Hunter from Oil Express, Joe & Lorraine Scapin from Lee Hardware, Jimmy's Restaurant, The Garrity Family from LB Corp., Jeff & Julie Mooney from Moonshines Package, Jim & Lorraine Finnegan from Lee Package, Jack & Mike Kelly from Kelly Funeral Home, everyone at Lee Bank, Tyringham Fire Co., The Face Family from Salmon Run Fish House, Suburban Medical, Athena's, Dan & Wendy Collins from Dan Collins Plumbing & Heating, Lee Kiwanis, Joe Toole & Joan Tyer from Toole Insurance, Dave Comalli from Comalli Electric, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Lisa Kelley from Macaro Real Estate, Bob Mucha and Pauline from Greenock Country Club, Ed Bertoldi from Ft. Miller Vault, Bill & Kathy Ingeni & Colleen Jones from Ingegni Salon, Lee Price Chopper, Lee Subway, Cranwell Resort, Joe's Diner, Red Lion Inn, and Tim Shumsky from Stadium Systems. A special thanks to Mike Hopsickerfrom Ray Murray Inc. for donating the New England Patriots Grill for our SUPER RAFFLE grand prize. Finally, thanks to all our players who come out every year, take an afternoon off from work to play golf and support Lee Wildcat and Lee Youth Football. GO WILDCATS !!!
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