Massena football eliminated from state play, volleyball makes it to semi-regionals

The 2021 season has come to an end for the Massena Raider football and volleyball teams.

Massena’s season ended in state playoffs with a 48-6 loss to Section 7 champions Peru in a game played in Ogdensburg.

Massena’s end came on the heels of giving up two fumble recoveries, two interceptions and several sacks.

Massena quarterback Dominic Monacelli went 17/25 passing 201 yards with two interceptions. At the end of the game, he completed a pass to squadmate Ethan Donnelly for a 35-yard touchdown pass with 55 seconds left on the clock, the only Massena points of the game. Their teammate DeShawn Walton caught eight passes for 84 yards. Chris Kucipak caught the ball six times for 51 yards.

On the Peru side, Keegan Smith paced their offense and defense. That included catching a 12-yard pass from Zach O’Connell 3:49 into the game, and also hauling in a second pass from O’Connell 12 yards 49 seconds into the second quarter. He later received a 43-yard touchdown catch with 1:26 left in the second quarter as the Nighthawks increased their lead to 35-0 going into halftime.

Jack Hanson supported most of Peru’s rushing, carrying 13 times for 147 yards with touchdown runs of four, 11 and 29 yards. Landen Duprey scored a 23-yard touchdown reception on one reception. O’Connell completed 8/11 passes for 143 yards. Smith caught four passes for 91 yards.

Smith later intercepted the ball two yards into the end zone then sprinted 102 yards for the final Peru touchdown with 3:44 left in the third quarter. He also went 5/6 in PAT kicks.

Right after the final touchdown of the half, an injured player along the Peru sideline was carried off on a stretcher as a precautionary measure after complaining of neck pain. He was reportedly fully responsive when taken away by ambulance. A second ambulance had to be called in after the first that started at the game had to take a Massena player to the hospital for a shoulder injury. The teams were sent to the locker rooms during the delay.

In volleyball action, the Raiders made it to the semi-regional round of post-season play where they ended their season with a 3-0 loss to Fulton.

“I could not be more proud right now of my team. They left it all on the court and played great defense tonight! They got to see some really hard hitters and they adjusted very well,” Coach Nicole Deshaies said.

The scores were 25-10, 25-17 and 25-13. Katelyn Benham tallied 10 assists, two service points and a kill. Payton Benson notched four service points and two kills. Faith Halladay recorded three service points and a kill. Sydney Cardinal scored two service points and a kill. Ella Murtagh contributed three kills. Felicity Engstrom fashioned three service points, two kills and two blocks.