Wellington hosted Andale for season-opening varsity football action at Sellers Park on Friday night.  The Crusaders are rocking a new look for their helmets and are led by new head coach Jeremiah Meeks.  The Indians outscored Wellington 63-14, but huge gains were made over last year's outcome against Andale, statistically speaking.  In addition to a new coach, new AD Elly Johnson, new principals John Nance and Audrey Gill on the sidelines, there was also a new announcer--Rick Roitman--in the press box.  Halftime included a routine by the Crimson Dancers and a James Bond medley performed by the marching band.  

All due respect to our dancers and band--great performances by both--but the MOST entertaining halftime show was perhaps Cope Henry's young brother breaking past the fence and running the full length of the field as his dad coolly followed to retrieve him. 

Also of note was the student section/pep club's theme for their attire this week, "Adam Sandler," which gave the high schoolers opportunity to adopt Sandler's casual style and wear their baggiest t-shirts and oversized shorts, with many of them also sporting sharpie facial stubble.

At the game's conclusion, there was a heartwarming moment which transcends football, and we're privy to the story thanks to WHS alum Chris Torres.  Chris reports that as he was leaving the game with his grandmother Terry Caudillo, some young fans from Andale saw Chris trying to help his grandma and carry her chair at the same time. These boys ran up to Chris and offered to help, and Chris says they were “soooo nice” and he just had to take this first photo of the young men with his grandma.  What a simple-but-powerful example of kindness!  We thank Chris for sharing with us, and applaud those young men for the assist.  This is definitely a story our friend Steve Sturgis would have LOVED.

And speaking of Steve, many of the football players continued what has become a staple of student athletes since his untimely passing last January: adorning their jerseys, wristbands, warmups, sneakers, etc., with Steve's initials or special phrases like "For Steve."  A piece of our hearts was missing from the sidelines in our first home game in decades without Steve, but his memory was certainly present.

SCORE BY QUARTER

                  Q1   HALF   Q3        Final

Wellington  00      07      07          14

Andale        22     50      57          63

STATS

Rushing (A - 314 yds / W -  99 yds)               (2021 - 21 yds)

Malachi Rogers 15/68 yds
Dusty Bannister 8/26 yds
Nick Giefer 3/5 yds

Passing (A - 24 yds / W - 178 yd)                    (2021 - 1 yd)

Dusty Bannister 18/30 for 178 yds
Sky Branam 0/1

Receiving (A -24  yds . W - 178 yd)

Sky Branam 5/69 yds
Jack Wright 5/10 yds
Malachi Rogers 3/27 yds
Cope Henry 2/34 yds
Brody Weir 2/25 yds
Grady Norris 1/8 yds

Kickoff Returns

Cope Henry 14 yds
Sky Branam 37 yds
Jack Wright 2 yds
Parker Thornton 14 yds
Riley Nichols 4yds

PAT'S / FG

Jack Wright 2/2 

First Downs                                                  (2021 - 3 First Downs)

A - 15  W - 16

Punts

Malachi Rogers 3 for 60 yds
Riley Nichols 1 for 27 yds

Pictures of all the aforementioned AND MUCH MORE are up in the gallery!

VARSITY FOOTBALL v. ANDALE 090222

(Photos by Katie Ford & Tatum Rountree)