Football: Sacoy Malone rushes for 195 yards as Central scores 16 unanswered points.
CHICOPEE - Whether he's eating up clock on long drives, gaining first downs in bunches or busting the big run, Sacoy Malone is a reliable option for the Central High School football team to have in its backfield.
Malone rushed for 195 yards and the touchdown that sealed the victory, as Central used 16 unanswered points to defeat Minnechaug Regional 22-14 in a Western Massachusetts Division I semifinal at Chicopee Comprehensive High School.
A safety by Perry Nowell, who tackled Minnechaug punter Tony Barrett in the end zone, coupled with Malone's big run only 13 seconds later, helped Central secure a Super Bowl rematch with Longmeadow.
The top-seeded Golden Eagles (10-2) will face Longmeadow (10-2), a 13-10 winner over West Springfield in the other semifinal, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Longmeadow defeated Central in last season's game at Westfield State University.
Quentin Jones rushed for a pair of short touchdowns for the Golden Eagles, taking advantage of the workman's effort Malone put in to get them in that position. On a single 13-play drive in the second quarter, Malone acquired 49 of his 92 first-half yards.
Minnechaug (9-3) had its passing game working early, as Greg Heineman found Anthony Goonan on a 42-yard screen pass down the sideline to take a 7-6 lead, after Jones scored from one yard out on Central's opening drive.
Heineman finished with 123 yards passing to cap his stellar career under center for the Falcons. While Central quarterback Cody Williams didn't match Heineman's numbers, he came through when he had to. His 16-yard pass to Travis Cusson set up Jones' first touchdown.
The Falcons took a 14-6 lead on the first play of the second quarter, as Heineman threw a laser over the middle of the Central defensive line. Todd Kosel snagged it falling down for a 15-yard score.
From there, Central was able to hold the Minnechaug passing game in check. Defensively, the Golden Eagles forced five Falcons turnovers, and the special teams came through with the go-ahead safety.
Barrett bobbled the snap, and Nowell pounced on him to put Central ahead 15-14 with 8:41 left to play.
This was Central's second win over Minnechaug in five days, as the Golden Eagles prevailed 35-14 on Thanksgiving Day. Now, coach Valdamar Brower's team would like nothing more than to prevail for the third time in 10 days - avenging last year's Super Bowl loss in the process.