The boys varsity football team defeated the Dover-Sherborn Raiders 33-8 at Parsons Field on Friday, Nov. 15, sending the seniors off in style for their senior night, and last home game of the season.
Before kickoff, the Warriors celebrated their seniors and the culmination of their high school football careers with a ceremony. According to head coach Chad Hunte, taking this moment for the graduating members of the team inspired determination heading into the game.
“[After the ceremony], the emotions were high, they really respect the seniors and they really wanted to give them a win in the last game at home. It was definitely emotional for a lot of kids coming into it, but their energy was extremely high,” Hunte said.
This energy was evident in the Warrior’s gameplay as they started strong, with impressive passes from junior and captain, quarterback Craig Haas which allowed them to make quick gains across the field before junior and wide receiver Will Cavalier scored a touchdown. Senior and kicker Jack Jarvis’s point after touchdown gave the Warriors a 7-0 lead, with just over one minute left in the first quarter. Hunte said he attributes the team’s success to their offense.
“We [wanted] to lean on our offensive line. We thought we could really run the ball in this game and we were able to do that. We were able to pass the ball as well, it was just incredible teamwork,” Hunte said. “Defense, their energy was there the entire time whether we were on the field or off the field.”
After a touchdown from senior and running back Bryce Figueiredo and another from Cavalier, sophomore and safety Jonathan Cartwright intercepted a Raiders pass and ran it in for a pick-six, leaving the score at 26-0 at the half. Jarvis said the Warriors’ energy coming into the game was very intentional.
“The first half was dominant. We really came out; we flew out. Before the game we were talking about it, we really wanted to make a statement and that’s what we did,” Jarvis said. “I want to thank my whole kickoff team, we flew down when you get that ball down. All game for kickoff we were just putting the ball in great field position,” Jarvis said.
In the second half, the Warriors slowed down defensively, according to Hunte. Senior and captain, linebacker and tight end Mustafa Mohammed, said their effort in the second half was something they would work on for their upcoming Thanksgiving match against the Newton North Tigers.
The Raiders were quick to take advantage of the Warriors’ lull in energy, achieving a touchdown and a two-point conversion in the third quarter. However, heading into the fourth quarter, the Warriors still led 26-8.
As the clock counted down the final twelve minutes, the Warriors gained back some momentum, adding another seven points to the scoreboard with a touchdown from running back B’Call Hooks and an extra point from Jarvis. They managed to fend off the Raiders for the remaining five minutes, winning their last home game of the season 33-8.
According to Hunte, this win on Senior Night, on top of an already exceptional season for the Warriors, was a huge success for the team.
“[The seniors] go all offseason, we start in January and go all the way to Thanksgiving, so the amount of work and the effort they’ve put in, it means so much and they really set the standard,” Hunt said. “All these younger guys, they look up to them and to give them a win on Senior Day just means a lot. It’s been a long time and this has been the most wins in the program in a really long time. So to get that and do it with this group is really special.”
After the game, Jarvis said he felt proud of what they had accomplished.
“It’s been really nice to work with my fellow seniors these years. Getting to a point where seeing myself and all my other teammates be in this place where none of us–maybe one of us played football before high school–now we feel confident and excited and we’ve been having a lot of fun this season,” Jarvis said.
Senior, safety and special teams player Aiden Cho said he appreciates what the team has meant. Cho broke his ankle in the first game of the season and said he was very excited to finally be back on his feet.
“[The team means] everything. Because I moved here [from Korea], I didn’t know anybody, in junior year. It’s just a brotherhood and it’s done countless things for me,” Cho said. “I can’t describe just how much value this has to me and today was a culmination of all that hard work.”
