Western Mass. players prepare for Chowder Bowl


Western Massachusetts players line up during practice in preparation of the Chowder Bowl Classic. Reminder Publications photo by Chris Maza

June 18, 2012

By Chris Maza

chrism@thereminder.com

GREATER SPRINGFIELD — Football players from throughout Western Massachusetts, many of who referred to each other as rivals a few short months ago, have joined forces to take on a noble cause.

More than 55 area players were selected to take part in this year's Chowder Bowl Classic to benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children, which will take place on Amos Alonzo Stagg Field on the campus of Springfield College on June 22 at 7 p.m.

The game, which has been played each year since 2001, pits the Western Massachusetts squad against a similarly built team from Central Massachusetts.

This year's roster includes standout players such as Minnechaug's Greg Heineman, Putnam's Melquan Pinkney, West Springfield's Ty Mann, Commerce's Dayvon Williams, Longmeadow's Jake Lazerus and T.J. Norris and Chicopee's Chadwick Woodfine

"It's a great honor for the kids because they are chosen by their coaches and they represent Western Massachusetts as the best football players in that area," said Minnechaug Regional High School coach Steve Alloso, who was named coach of the Western Massachusetts team. "Add the fact that they get to represent and support a fund-raiser for a charity such as the Shriners hospital, that's just amazing."

The honor doesn't just lie with the kids on the field, however. Alloso said he felt very humbled to take part in the tradition.

"I came from the south [Virginia Beach] and this is all new for me, so this is exciting," he said. "My family and I love Western Massachusetts and we put our feet in deep here, so it's nice to be able to coach a team that represents the area in such a big game."

For Woodfine, the game is something he's very familiar with and something he always hoped to be a part of.

"It's pretty thrilling," he said. "In previous years I've gone to the games and my brother played and I always knew I wanted to give back and help the kids out."

For many of the players, everything about the experience is new, right down to the playbook as Alloso has brought the prolific spread offense with him, a stark contrast to more conservative offenses such as the Wing-T that many players have been exposed to since their youth.

"Some of the things we're asking kids to do are the polar opposite of what they've been doing their whole careers," Alloso said. "But they're smart kids and they've got great attitudes and they're picking it up real quick. I've been very impressed with them."

Alloso said what has impressed him the most about his team of players who, for the most part, have never played together is their character and commitment.

"The character of this group is outstanding. It's the summer. There's jobs, there's girlfriends, there's all sorts of stuff, yet they're out here learning something new, working hard and doing it for a good cause," he said. "It's been really nice to observe. You could never do this in Virginia Beach. The kids would be killing each other. This is such a credit to the kids, the schools, their families and the communities."

Alloso pointed out that some of his players come to practice all the way from the Berkshires, including Antonio McClellan of Monument Mountain Regional High School in Great Barrington, who travels an hour and a half each day.

McClellan said the honor of being a part of the team makes the drive worth it.

"It's wonderful. It's amazing to know that you're going to be part of something that's helping a great cause. It's a great feeling," he said. "I think [giving back] is the best thing you can do. It's an honor to play football. It's a privilege. But it's also amazing to know you can help people and be part of a cause that is so amazing."

Woodfine added that the opportunity to play with other great Western Massachusetts athletes throws in a new element of fun.

"It's really fun. To come out here with players like Melquan, Dayvon and Greg Heineman, it's like an All-Star game for us," he said.

In addition to the game, the players received the unique opportunity to see what their hard work is going toward through a tour of the Shriners Childrens Hospitals' facilities.

"I think it was an eye-opener for everybody to realize how fortunate we are," Alloso said. "I think that night the big guy upstairs saw an increase in prayers and thank yous."

For Woodfine, the tour gave him a poignant reminder of the cause, but more recently he found another reason to play, dedicating his performance to his late mother.

"This last month this game got even more important to me because I lost my mom to cancer," he said. "So now I want to go out there and make her proud while also helping prove the slogan 'Strong legs run so weak legs can walk.'"

Woodfine added he would be taking to social media such as Facebook and Twitter to spread the word in order to bolster the Western Massachusetts fan base at the game in order to raise as much money as possible.

For more information, visit www.chowderbowlclassic.org.

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