WA Varsity Football defeats Dracut 21-18 in season opener
September 10, 2016
Yesterday, September 9th, WA Varsity Football beat Dracut High School 21-18 in the first game of the season, starting the Grey Ghosts off on a strong note this fall.
WA fans, although leaving in good spirits, held a high air of optimism even before the players set foot on the field. Looking around, one would have seen smiling faces and heard cheerful yelling about thirty minutes before the opening kickoff. Principal James Antonelli himself could be seen in a jolly mood before the game, smiling and laughing with students and administration.
“I am very excited. First night in September, Friday night lights, this is a great opportunity for the kids to come out here and have some fun,” Antonelli said.
As the wave of high energy and cheer overcame the track and field at WA, ACDC blared from the PA system, and students, families, and teachers all roared with excitement upon the entrance of the Grey Ghosts onto the field. The boys ran in on high spirits, but did not neglect to acknowledge the friends and family of junior Matt Roberge, who passed away from leukemia over the summer. Players strapped orange bands around their arms in support of Roberge while running onto the field.
The game started with a kickoff from Nick Carter, preceding the first touchdown and field goal of the night, a hand-off to Senior Eric Jacobsen. The crowd could be heard from miles away, with many screaming “Let’s go WA!”
Dracut soon scored a touchdown, but missed the field goal almost immediately following the end of the first quarter.
Within the first forty-five seconds of the second quarter, quarterback Connor Degenhardt made a touchdown, along with the field kick, causing crowds to continue their cheering and take out the giant cardboard cutout faces of players. In the final five seconds of the second quarter, intensities peaked when Eric Jacobsen received a complete pass but was brought down inches away from the end zone.
The half-time show featured performances from the WA Marching Band, the cheerleaders, and the flag guard. While the band produced spotless renditions of songs such as the Flash Gordon theme as well as a rendition of David Bowie’s “Space Odyssey”, students lined up at the snack bar and took laps around the track with friends, stopping to listen to the band.
The game’s second half began with the injury of a Dracut sophomore Cam McCollough, which resulted in the arrival of an ambulance and McCollough being pulled away in a stretcher. Shortly after this silence, however, the energy came back after Jacobsen scored yet another touchdown before being tackled in the end zone.
Dracut eventually scored another touchdown, bringing the score to 21-18, but was not able to catch up to WA’s lead. At the sound of the final buzzer, there was an energetic uproar from the seniors, although many underclassmen and families had already started walking to their cars.
One of the top players for the Grey Ghost’s season opener was quarterback Connor Degenhardt, who made two touchdowns as well as eight carries, running about eighty-three yards total during the game. This includes one fifty-five yard run in the second quarter. Eric Jacobsen also performed strongly with two touchdowns, five catches, with around a total of 108 yards ran, and a defensive interception in the third quarter.
“Eric Jacobsen is a warrior, he’s all over the place, he’s a play-maker, ” Head Coach Adam Gagne said.
“I am happy with the win. We came out battling the Dracut team, and they’re a good football team; they’re well-coached and tough. I’m happy to come out on the winning side,” Gagne said.
