By Arjun Khanna ‘23, Sports Writer

As the Newark Academy football team finishes another season, there is a sense of renewal and pride in the team for its ability to fight and adapt to challenging circumstances. The football team uniquely attracts the largest student crowds of any sport at NA. Though the Minutemen had some tough losses this year, they are practicing hard to come back strong next year. Football is one of the sports that truly represents our school as a whole. The values of pride and energy that the team embodies is what the Newark Academy community cherishes the most.

This fall the football team struggled to gain significant traction, losing 19 – 35 to Pingry, 0 – 35 to MKA, 7 – 34 to Morristown Beard, and 7 – 26 to MKA a second time. Even so, throughout this season, the team has shown considerable improvement and comfort on the turf. Despite some difficult losses, there seemed to be significant lessons gathered with every game. As with any rebound, however, the goal is to make sure that the team is looking fresh, fit, and confident on the turf. Wins do not come easy in the game of football; the Minutemen, however, are dedicated in their practice and make sure to work hard every day in order to perfect their game. Football athletes can be found practicing drills like throwing, catching, and running. Since the sport of football is so physical, many players are also active in the gym and weight room. 

In a sport like football, communication and understanding among team members is vital. During the preseason, the coaches and players often met with one another to form stronger bonds. Similarly, during the season, they ate together for big games. Speaking on this team chemistry, cornerback and wide receiver Adin Fastov ’23 said, “This season we had a lot of talent, from the freshmen to the seniors. We put in our best efforts in practice and in our games, yet our team did not click together as we wanted. I believe that the football team has the potential to have a great next season, and all we have to do is keep working hard and improving our skills.” The football team, strengthened by their perseverance, currently looks fresh, comfortable, and stronger than ever; they seem ready to tackle the opposition next season.