What a game! The Hastings Yellowjackets defeated the Irvington Bulldogs 39-20 on October 21st at the long-awaited and once-postponed Homecoming football game. After being rained out on the initial Homecoming date paired with questions about the rainy looking weather on the 21st, the competition was able to be squeezed in during a dry patch in the afternoon, and Hastings fans are sure glad it was. Taking on the Irvington Bulldogs at 1:30pm, the Yellowjackets took an eight point lead on an early drive and never looked back, growing the lead during every quarter of the contest. Later, the Bulldogs had a surge of a few scoring drives, but the deficit was too big to overcome, and Hastings came out on top in the end. The Yellowjackets’ five touchdowns were scored by Royal Peterson, Dominick Moore, Andrew Tenthoff, Charlie Richardson, and Johnny Sbrega, with Julian Carnavali throwing for three touchdowns and Keith Capuano throwing for one. Lineman Jason Wyatt also rushed for a two point conversion after a touchdown in the first half, in an exciting turn of events.
Following the postponement of the Homecoming game in September, there was great anticipation and excitement built up prior to the game. The game brought together families, alumni, and people of all ages. Former Yellowjacket football players Robert Kennedy, Frank Krapf, Ben Cartwright, and Reign Peterson were on the sidelines during the game, with Kennedy in his freshman season on the football team at Hartwick College. Festivities were in full swing with a variety of different activities and fundraisers run by student union members including the pieing of teachers and students alike, food stands, and other mini-games with special prizes. Full of Hasting’s spirit, Buzz, the Yellowjacket mascot, was also in attendance, hyping up the crowd and taking pictures with kids, and occasionally parents. During half-time, the Hudsonettes performed a well-rehearsed dance routine that the crowd enjoyed as an intermission following the Yellowjackets’ winning half.
After the victory, Varsity Football Coach Sammy O’Hare shared his thoughts stating that “Overall, it was a great team effort and win!” Hastings Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics Drew Wendol said, “It was a great day”.