Football Falls Flat in Final Fight of ’15

In its biggest game of the season, Big Red football took on Andover last Saturday in Phelps Stadium. In what would be for many players their last Exeter/andover game, both teams battled with a fiery spirit. However, blue prevailed in the end with a score of 29-14, leaving Exeter’s final record at three wins and five losses.

The game started out rough, with Andover scoring the first touchdown in the opening minutes and another one later in the first half. However, Exeter rebounded, scoring a touchdown just before halftime, making the game close at 14-7. Unfortunately, the momentum shifted back to Andover during the second half as they scored two more touchdowns, one of which came in the last ten minutes of the game, squashing Exeter’s hopes of ending the season with a win.

Despite the disappointing loss, the athletes were still satisfied with the fight they put up throughout the game. While the players struggled early with avoidable penalties and turnovers, they did an impressive job managing their composure and not letting the frustrations of losing get to their heads.

Even after the game, senior Eric Regis noted that the locker room seemed much “calmer” than he had expected. “The post-game locker room was not at all angry or violent,” Regis said. “We seemed content with the fact that we gave the game—and this season—our very best.”

Indeed, the team really did give the game their best shot. According to Regis, there were two standout performers, wide receivers senior JT Thompson and lower Andrew Atsalis. While Thompson has been a very reliable player and been on the field throughout the season, Regis described Atsalis more as a “rising star” whose great last performance attests to how much he has improved over the season.

The team also had an impressive mid-season turnaround on which to look back proudly. While they struggled to find a win in the first four games, the team snapped back, winning the next three before they faced Andover. Lower Timothy Han attributed this turnaround to the leadership of the seniors, whose hard work ethic set an example for the rest of the team,.

“They came to practice every day with the goal to get better and improve,” Han said. “They worked every day, every practice, every play to get better and it really showed. Without the veteran leadership we had, no team could have done what we did in that amazing turnaround.”

While Han recognized leadership potential in the current upper class, he will be disappointed to see the seniors graduate. He will especially miss the “poise and selflessness” they showed throughout the season.

The rest of the team will be missed by the graduating players as well. Thompson described the last game as “bittersweet.” He emphasized how great his experience on Exeter football has been, especially with the support he has received from teammates, friends and coaches.  He wanted to thank everyone for making his Exeter Football career “unforgettable” and one of the “best experiences of his life.”

“It was hard to swallow the fact that I would never put on the pads for Exeter football ever again,” Thompson said. “I left them on my shoulders a long time that night. There is nothing like football and there is no comparison. You make the greatest memories and friendships, and I will hold on to them forever.”