Photos from the 2021 Football Championship

Heading into last weekend, after six grueling weeks of flag football on the New England campus, just two teams remained at the top of the competition. On Sunday, students, faculty, and their families gathered at Inman Field to watch them face off in the season championship.

“We get to watch heads bobble and a bunch of guys fall to the ground as entertainment,” laughed freshman Jozef Nijis. “How much better can it get?”

To begin the first half, senior Jonas Chavez led his team in a dominant drive from its own 20-yard line, marching down to the 5-yard of the opposing team, captained by senior Tanner Sheffield. Then, on third-and-goal from the goal line, Jonas connected with tutor John McCarthy (’11) in the corner of the end zone for the game’s first touchdown. 

With the crowd fighting the 39° weather in gloves and scarves, their muffled cheers and applause led to a diving score from Associate Director of Admissions John Jost (’17). The two teams remained tied throughout most of the half, as drive after drive resulted in one terrific defensive stop after another. Then, just before the intermission, Mr. Jost rifled a pass to freshman Sam Peterson for a soaring 25 yard catch to end the drought. The half ended with Tanner’s team tying the game once more at 12-12.

After both teams traded punches and scores, Team Sheffield enjoyed a 24-18 lead with just two minutes remaining in the game. With the crowd on its feet and hearts racing, Team Chavez battled against an overwhelming blitz as the captain threw up a prayer of a pass that somehow fell into the hands of junior John Metilly. But in this brutal game of inches, John fell just one yard short to tie up the game. Team Sheffield survived the late-game surge to stand tall as this year’s champion.

“Our offensive and defensive line, receivers, and quarterback played an amazing game,” said sophomore Tyler Getlik. “We practiced before the game, and our practices definitely paid off.”