Varsity Football Ends Their Season on a High Note
The undermanned team had to forfeit their first three games but then went 3-1 in their last four. Photo: Continental Studios
By SOPHIA WONG and SABRINE BENABDALLAH
The varsity football team’s season came to an end at Old Boys and Girls Field November 11, where they conquered the Eagle Academy for Young Men II 38-23.
The Hornets’ season ended with a record of 3-5 after the boys moved up to the top conference of PSAL football: AAAA. They had a rocky start at the beginning of the year, having to forfeit their first three games due to a lack of players, but they then fought back to defeat James Madison, Bayside, and Eagle Academy.
“Having fewer players, it’s been hard to get quality reps and it’s challenging,” Assistant Coach Jonathan Skelly said.
Still, the team pulled through to end on some positive momentum. Isaiah Parker, a senior linebacker, said, “I feel like we had a lot of great leaders helping our young players prepare, and our class of ‘24 also had a lot of great athletes.”
William Forte ‘26, the starting quarterback, said he made some great memories this year. Forte said, “During practice, we had a scrimmage against each other and the coaches joined for a seven-on-seven. It was fun.”
After losing their first real game to Tottenville 41-3 on October 13, the boys quickly rose to the challenge the next Saturday, ambushing James Madison on their home field 30-20.
In that game, Antoine Blackman ‘24 ran 60 yards for a touchdown in the second half and scored a 2-point conversion. He followed that up with an interception for another TD, giving Midwood an 8-point lead they would not relinquish.
Tavion Cush ‘24, the MVP defensive tackle of the year, said, “It started as a shoot-out, and at the end of the game we put our foot on the pedal.”
Parker said, “I felt like because they had scheduled us for [their] Homecoming game, that gave us an extra boost of energy, and it showed. But it was also memorable because the year prior we lost to Madison, so that gave the seniors and juniors even more energy.”
The next week, the team came to Midwood Field to play against Bayside, roaring with excitement. The stands were filled with many supporters wearing white for Homecoming.
The team dominated and Midwood ultimately won 28-14. Touchdowns were scored by Blackman, Jayden Rose ‘24, and Marlon King ‘24.
Playing varsity football in his last year of high school, King said, “There is a great supportive coaching staff here that helped push me to my greatest self.”
The last game of the season was against Eagle Academy, and Midwood was determined to end their year with a bang.
During the first quarter, Blackman snatched up the football after one of Eagle Academy’s players fumbled, seizing the opportunity to get a touchdown. This allowed Rose to get a two-point conversion.
The second quarter started quickly with Blackman scoring another touchdown and Rose running through the whole defensive line of Eagle Academy, scoring another two-point conversion.
In total, Blackman had three fumble recoveries and an interception for two touchdowns, and Rose had 197 yards rushing and three TDs, leading the team to their 38-23 win.
Looking back on the year, Co-Coach Anthony Odita said, “There are tons of good memories, and I wouldn’t be coaching without it.”