Spirit Week culminates with Saturday's varsity football game. This tradition has evolved over decades. It used to be, however, that it was all about the final football game of the year, and that game was against Holderness. Nowadays, Spirit Week is about the community's successes over ten weeks, and significant performances by the chorus and dance team are still ahead of us (Sunday afternoon). So Friday night's bonfire was more of a community pep rally than the football-specific bonfires we knew in the 1970s and '80s.
After all, without a lot of external fanfare, we're feeling pretty good about several teams' stunning performance in recent weeks. Way under the radar, girls' varsity soccer captured the league championship by tying Holderness last week (after upsetting them earlier in the season.) We then went to Wolfeboro and upset a powerhouse Brewster team to gain the title. Back at the bonfire, the heat was intense, keeping most at a distance.
Then there's varsity field hockey, which scored a goal against league champion Brewster Academy, and held on to upset them in the final game of the season. Varsity boys' soccer won its final five contests, including solid victories over Holderness and Tilton. Back at the bonfire, we learned that you can approach (with marshmallows) if you keep low.
While a heroic cross-country team was traveling to North Andover, MA for its biggest race of the year, the football team hosted KUA Saturday for a huge playoff contest, and school spirit is sky high.
Before this week, a few members of the student population might not know that the school's colors are green and white. That point is now clear.
The first quarter of this championship football game felt like last week's contest, in which Proctor seemed destined to dominate.
Once again, Proctor scored the first three touchdowns. Here, Raymon sprints left for a long, first touchdown.
For spectators, school spirit seemed to be the power that guaranteed victory. Carlos Bryant sprints for the second TD of the first quarter.
As the game proceeded, however, KUA proved to be a powerful, talented and admirable opponent. They came back in the fourth quarter, but the Green D held on critical plays to secure the Evergreen League Championship.
Girls varsity soccer team will play in the NEPSAC quarterfinal against Lexington Christian Academy (MA) at the Lincoln St. Field in Lexington, Wednesday at 2:00 PM. Directions: From Route 128, take Rte. 2A East. Follow 2A to left on Lincoln St. Lincoln Field Complex will be about .5 miles on your right.
The New England Championship football game will be played against Noble & Greenough School at Phillips Exeter Academy this Saturday at noon.
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