The Black and White

by Chloe Casavant

The Pilgrim football team has come a long way this season, showcasing their determination and teamwork. They fought hard until the very end, earning respect and proving their resilience. Though it did not end the way they wanted, the Patriots returned to the playoffs for the first time in three years.

On their last league game for the 2024 season, the Patriots faced the Ponaganset Chieftains, unfortunately losing 16-32 Friday night November 15th at the Morry. 

The crowd was roaring for the semi-finals, and the student section was showed up in their ski-themed outfits with the temperatures finally starting to feel like the end of fall and the beginning of winter. The first quarter was filled with tension from both teams, the Chieftains had already played the Patriots during the regular season beating them 14-40, so they came in confident.

In the first quarter, the Patriots quickly added points to the board. Jacob Souliere fought his way through the Chieftain’s defense and ended up in the end zone. The Patriots went for the two point conversion and Hunter Schobel caught it in the end zone making the score 8-0.

The Chieftains quickly bounced back and scored a touchdown in the second quarter and earned the extra point making the score 8-7. The Chieftains scored another touchdown and two extra points making the score now 8-15, the odds were not looking good for the Patriots at this point. When it was the Patriot’s turn for offense, they knew they had to end the first half at least scoring another touchdown. Quarterback Carter Clifton threw a snipe to Hunter Schobel who ran 16 yards into the end zone and secured a touchdown for the Patriots. It is now 14-15. 

Dylan Rodrigues added two points making the score 16-14, securing the lead going into halftime which was needed for the Patriots to have control of the game. The two teams went to their corners to reevaluate the first half of the game and the crowd went to their corners to stay warm to last throughout the rest of the game. 

The Chieftains came out strong in the second half and took control, racking up points while shutting out the Patriots.

The final whistle brought tears from the senior Patriots. It was an unfortunate moment for the entire team, Head Coach Blake Simpson acknowledged how hard they had worked just to even get into the playoffs. The track was filled with crying seniors and families already starting to reminisce about the grand season that had just ended.

But the Patriots are not finished just yet.

The Thanksgiving Game is a yearly tradition that is Senior Night for the Patriots. Kickoff will be at 10:00 am on Thanksgiving morning. Come out and support our seniors at their final game.

#PilgrimFootballTeamSigningOut 

#SeeYouNextYear 

#RevengeTour