No more winning streak hanging over their heads. No more perfect season to worry about. No need to have a bounce-back win.
It's just the county's best team the past two years taking on the team trying to overtake it and rise to the top. It's the Berkshire County championship. Period.
At least that's how Mount Greylock coach Shawn Flaherty sees it.
Some players agree, others, well, not so much.
"Just ready to get payback," senior Tyrell Thomas said. "Especially after they hurt Hank [Barrett]."
That's the biggest difference from late October to today. The Mounties were playing with a freshman quarterback who had next to zero experience playing with the first-team offense. But with more than two weeks since their last game -- and three since the Wahconah loss -- Brodie Altiere has been brought up to speed.
The break has also given the rest of the team time to rest and heal up. The time table is different than the previous two seasons. In 2011 and 2010, the Mounties hosted the Berkshire County championship on the Satur day after their ninth game. But because Wah conah won the regular season meeting, it was the Warriors' choice. They chose the day before Thanksgiving, which gave both teams an extra couple days off.
"The extra days has been great," Flaherty said. "We definitely needed the time, definitely feeling the aftermath of [nine] games."
When the two teams met Oct. 26 in Williamstown, Wahconah
Defending against the pass has been the focal point for Greylock during practice since that game. The Mounties had a chance to work on it at game speed the following week against McCann Tech. They held Horents' quarterback Justin Cote to just 2-of-11 passing for 21 yards. One of those completions went for a touchdown. He also threw an interception.
Greylock's been able to focus on the pass defense because it held Grogan and Eli Pease to a combined 98 yards on 31 carries -- one was a touchdown run.
"You just get the kids out there and you reinforce and re-stress the importance of the position and what we need to have done," Flaherty said.
On the flip side, Ethan Ryan ran for 99 yards on 20 carries, scoring on the third play from scrimmage. From there, the Mounties were plagued by penalties, turnovers and spotty coverage.
They think they're ready this time around.
"I think we were challenged," defensive back Eric Leitch said. "I can't think of a game where we were challenged that much. I think we're ready this time around."
The Essentials
Who: Mount Greylock vs. Wahconah
What:Berkshire County title game
Where:Wachonah Regional High School
When:Tonight, 7 p.m
Tickets:$5 for adults; $3 for students
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