EHHS JV football ends season against Manchester

EHHS begins a play against Manchester. Photos by Evan Pajer.

On Nov. 16, East Hartford High School's junior varsity football team played its last game of the season against Manchester. Although the Hornets demonstrated the skills they have been practicing all season, they lost the game, 35-0.

Football at the junior varsity level is a different world from varsity. As the varsity team practiced on the school's main football field, which is lighted and has a scoreboard, the junior varsity game was relegated to the varsity practice field, which has neither. Despite the cold, windy weather and lack of seating, parents and students from both sides showed up to watch, some using oversized tires left around the field as makeshift seats.  Volunteers from both sides held up the chains and a sign displaying the current down, with one of the game's three referees helping them to get into the correct position after each play.

During the first quarter, Manchester quickly scored its first touchdown. Although EHHS went on to push the ball beyond Manchester's 20-yard line several times during the quarter, they were not able to catch up. Manchester spent the rest of the quarter trying to get past EHHS's defense, but did not manage to score again before time was called.

As the second quarter began, coaches on both sides were left wondering whether or not the game could be played to completion. With no lights on the field, and the sun rapidly setting, East Hartford hoped to tie the game with an early touchdown. Although the team was able to make another push to Manchester's end zone with a 40-yard rush, Manchester gained control of the ball and made an astonishing 60-yard rush, scoring its second touchdown of the game. East Hartford fought hard defensively to stop any further touchdowns, but was unable to stop Manchester from scoring twice more.

At the end of the second quarter, the decision was made to have a five-minute break for halftime. During the break, both teams agreed to end the game after the third quarter. Much of the third quarter was spent scoreless, with one more touchdown by Manchester near the end, ending the game at 35-0 for Manchester.

After the game, coach Shabazz Akwan told his team to prepare for next season. "If you want to be a good player, there is no off-season," he said. Akwan said the team will undergo weight training during the winter each day before school starts.