11/7/24 Highlight: Varsity Football
By TYLER CHO, MARVIN SHIM
On Saturday, Oct., 26, the boys varsity football team seized an exhilarating 36-27 coup as visitors against the Brunswick School. Their victory extended Big Red’s undefeated streak to 6-0 this season as their home finale and the eagerly-awaited game against Andover approaches.
Although Exeter trailed Brunswick early in the game, losing 14-0, the tides soon turned as JJ Bright, Myles Craddock, and Isaiah Reese each scored a touchdown. By the third quarter Big Red built a 36-21 lead and maintained their lead to the fourth quarter.
“Brunswick is a tough team and we knew that,” Upper Carter Johnson commented, “It’s always a dog fight when [we] play with a good team because [we] know they’re going to make plays, but it’s about who comes back from those.” The game against Brunswick was indeed close compared to other games, as Big Red failed to build up a lead in the start. Both teams are highly-ranked in the league and the game had been anticipated by members of the football team.
“It started off to a rocky start, but we really came back and won the game,” Upper Marek Jin reflected, “We are more of a second-half team, but I think we came out a little slower than we hoped to. It was an overnight trip though and a pretty long drive. But we did come back to it and we won. It was a good win.”
“Throughout the week we really focused on breaking down their film, getting scout cards ready, and keeping our conditioning up. We were laser-focused on one goal, beating Brunswick,” Johnson said.
Jin continued, “Everyone was really dedicated to what they had to do. Everybody knew their responsibilities and everybody was ready. They were all prepared.”
Their victory is in large part owed to the massive time and preparation the football team has put in every day throughout the season. “All the games leading up did help, but we really came together for that game. It seemed like everybody that week was so locked in,” Jin stated, “It’s just knowing what my responsibility is, knowing the person I’m going against, and having the ability to execute. That’s the biggest thing.”
“We want to focus one week at a time and show all our hard work on Saturdays,” Johnson echoed.
“It’s a very determined team. It’s a team sport for a reason. We have a bunch of people on our team who are locked in on the goal. And it worked,” Jin continued.
Johnson noted, “The environment of the team is awesome. We are like a family, everyone is like a brother and I know they have my back and I got theirs.”
“It was a huge win. We all played well and we had a lot of special moments after that game. We felt the win on a five hour bus ride home,” Jin shared.
