'Merc' rushes toward milestone |
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By Chris Maza
Reminder Assistant Editor
WILBRAHAM -- Thanksgiving Day football is always a special tradition, but this year, the post-game turkey might taste a little bit better for Mike Mercadante.
Mercadante, the starting tailback for the Minnechaug Regional High School football team, is poised to surpass the 3,000-yard rushing mark for his career. According to head coach Steve Allosso, "Merc" is only 80 yards short of the milestone heading into Thursday's matchup with Central High School.
"Honestly, I didn't know I was that close until coach told me about it a couple weeks ago," Mercadante said. "I hadn't really been keeping track. I kept track of this year's numbers, but I really didn't pay attention to my whole career."
"It's his will and desire to try to score a touchdown on every play that makes him such a tough runner."--Steve Allosso, Minnechaug head football coach
Mercadante is the Pioneer Valley's leading rusher with 1,729 yards. He has run for more than 200 yards in five of the Falcons' last six games and had back-to-back outstanding games against Westfield and Holyoke High School in which he scored five and six touchdowns, respectively.
Earlier in November, he gained national attention on ESPN Boston's High School Report blog after picking up 232 yards and two touchdowns in a win against Agawam.
"It's his desire," Allosso said when asked what Mercadante's best quality is. "It's his will and desire to try to score a touchdown on every play that makes him such a tough runner."
A rushing milestone is not one that would often be associated with a running back in a spread offense.
Spread offenses are designed to do exactly what the name implies by dispatching multiple receivers on both sides of the field in order to spread out defenses and provide several options to the quarterback.
Minnechaug also boasts one of the area's best passers in Greg Heineman, whose 1,627 passing yards leads all quarterbacks.
Allosso said the passing game has certainly been a benefit to Mercadante.
"Our passing game certainly sets up our running game," Allosso said.
Mercadante added that he knows his importance to the team and his quarterback beyond carrying the football.
"[Heineman] knows I'm here for him," Mercadante said. "I'm there to block for him if he needs me and if he needs me to, I can get open for him to pass to."
In addition to the potential milestone, the Thanksgiving morning contest with Central, now in its second year, has playoff implications.
Central is currently tied with West Springfield for second in the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association power rankings, which determine playoff eligibility and seeding. Minnechaug currently hold the fourth spot, which represents the final playoff slot, with Chicopee Comprehensive High School and Holyoke tied for fifth behind them.
Minnechaug has an advantage, having beaten both teams this season and a win surely would solidify the Falcons' chances for a playoff berth.
Central is also on an four-game winning streak, having not lost since visiting Longmeadow on Oct. 15. Last season, Minnechaug squeaked by the Golden Eagles, 28-20.
"I expect to see a lot of things from them," Allosso said. "They're a tough football team. They played us tough last year and I expect the same thing this year."
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