Football, despite relentless effort, found itself unable to secure a victory against Natick Friday, Sept. 6. The Redhawks ultimately swooped in for a 35-6 victory for the first ‘Friday Night Lights’ game of the season on North’s new turf field.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for North’s new turf preceded the game’s opening kick-off. North’s turf replacement project, which began in August, left the team without a home field during preseason practices. Leading up to the game against Natick, the Tigers had been practicing at various fields across Newton, including the football field at South.
The availability of the turf was still up in the air in the days before the game.
“It was a little touch and go because we didn’t step foot on the field until right before our game for the first time,” said Barry House Dean Nick Capodilupo, the head coach. We were hoping to get on it earlier in the week but that didn’t happen.”
The lack of turf practice didn’t deter the team according to senior Scott Caissie, a captain along with seniors Lock Erlandsen, Adrian Farnese, Maayan Fogel, and Juan Perez. “I go into every game, no matter what, hoping and feeling as though we can win,” said Caissie.
North fought hard in the first quarter, shutting Natick down on their first two offensive drives. On their third drive, North was unsuccessful in stopping Natick, who scored their first touchdown. The Redhawks went on to score again in the second quarter, ending the half leading 14-0.
Junior quarterback Freddy Torcasio started the third quarter strong, bringing enthusiasm back to the stands as he scored his first varsity touchdown. According to Capodilupo, the team’s impressive presentation of defensive skill acted as further momentum for the Tigers.
North’s touchdown brought the score to 14-6 in favor of Natick, making it a one-possession game.
“We were very much still in the game at that point. Our kids were excited, our sideline was excited, the fans were into it,” said Capodilupo. This group doesn’t give up.”
Natick scored three more touchdowns before the game came to a close. Although it came as a disappointment, according to Capodilupo, the loss was not all-ending. “They played really hard, and you know, we hung in there until we didn’t, and I was pleased with how we fought,” he said.
Coming off of the loss, the team is ready to go back to the drawing board, according to Caissie. In the future, he wants to see better communication and more “working together to better suit everyone’s play style.”
North, 0-1, will face off against Waltham away Thursday, Sept. 12 for their annual meeting where the Doc Cohn Memorial trophy will be awarded.
