In a game the Rye Country Day football team needed to win in order to clinch a second straight FAA championship and their first-ever undefeated regular season, the Wildcats put up their lowest point total of the season. Fortunately for RCDS, that number is 35.
By Jim Byrne
In a game the Rye Country Day football team needed to win in order to clinch a second straight FAA championship and their first-ever undefeated regular season, the Wildcats put up their lowest point total of the season. Fortunately for RCDS, that number is 35.
It was another blowout November 12 at Hackley, as the visiting Wildcats stomped the Hornets 35-7 and qualified for a NEPSAC bowl game for a school-record second consecutive year.
Senior captain Sam Stern ripped off a 60-yard run down the left sideline for a touchdown to open scoring in the first, and quarterback Garrett Washington made it 14-6 late in the second on a 58-yard scamper.
“We saw that they were stacking the box, so pretty much any inside plays wouldn’t work,” said Washington, also a senior captain. “Coach called 11 rocket boot, which is actually a pass play, but as I rolled out I saw green grass ahead of me and just took off. Tyler Miller threw a great downfield block to spring me loose.”
Washington hooked up with Miller in the second half for a 74-yard touchdown pass. Miller, a sophomore, was playing his first game back after injuring his knee.
“Coach told Miller all week that he would have a big game and he did just that,” said Washington. “We missed him while he was out and he worked hard every day, determined to get back on the field. I knew we had to capitalize on any pass plays called, and luckily I was able to connect with Miller on that play.”
The pummeling of Hackley went right along with the season’s script for head coach John Calandros and the Wildcats. Rye Country Day, 9-0, has outscored opponents 365-66 this season, with no margin of victory less than 21 points.
“Last year, we lost a handful of seniors who played major roles both defensively and offensively, so there were a lot of people doubting our team’s success,” said senior captain Chibueze Nwakeze, an offensive and nose guard. “Compounding that, we shared the FAA championship in 2010 with Saint Luke’s. With multiple blowout victories this year, we made our presence felt and left no doubt that we are the dominant team in the FAA.”
Part of the success this season came thanks to some unsung heroes. Dan Alderson-Smith, Henry Heller, and Dylan Bronson are players who all stepped up. Alderson-Smith and Heller have been anchors on the defensive line, while Bronson has added depth and stability to the linebacker position. Michael Thomas, a senior captain, is another standout who has led behind the scenes.
The Wildcats will attempt to wash the sour taste of last year’s bowl game loss November 19 against Pingree at Loomis Chaffee.
“This year we have one simple goal: win,” said Nwakeze. “For us it’s not about getting there anymore. You have to go big or go home.”
