Marines

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Caleb Hall, no. 11, ran in the third-quarter to get a lead for the Quantico High/Middle School over the Northhamton High School Oct. 23 at Butler Stadium aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico. The high school senior wingback leads the offense with: 70 carries for 740-yards and 14 touchdowns this season.

Photo by Ida Irby

Quantico Warriors, fight for a winning season

29 Oct 2015 | Ida Irby Marine Corps Base Quantico

Quantico Middle/High School Warriors took on the Northhamton High School Yellow Jackets from Eastville, Va. at Butler Stadium, Oct. 23. The high school athletes demonstrated a strong will to win but were upstaged on their home field with a final score of 34-28.

“Some programs determine success in terms of wins and losses, but I measure success by daily improvement and growth in character,” said Head Coach Paul Roy who coached the Warriors to “play like champions.”

During their first possession Friday evening, Warriors completed the first quarter scoreless ending in 6-0. With two minutes left in the second-quarter, Quantico’s quarterback Jack Kelly hit tailback Caleb Hall for a 70-yard touchdown pass to tie the game 6-6. Enrique Ferreira’s kicked a successful field goal added an extra point, which put Quantico up 7-6 going into half-time.

Tailback Caleb Hall, exploded through a gaping hole to score a 2-yard touchdown in the beginning of the third-quarter. While the extra point was not completed, fullback Will Neil followed with a hard-fought 1-yard touchdown. A stunning two-point conversion by Caleb Hall pushed the Warriors ahead 27-21.

In the beginning of the fourth quarter Kelly sprinted down the field into the end zone with a 5-yard rush, plus a field goal put the team. Nevertheless, an interception and touchdown by the Yellow Jackets in the fourth quarter allowed the opponents to gain the lead. The Yellow Jackets celebrated with 54 seconds remaining, as the red-and-gold Warriors fought to close out the evening with a win.

By the end of the clock, the Yellow Jackets maintained an unshakable lead that won the game.

“Football is a great sport to develop and challenge the character in young men. Young men of great character make sound decisions, accept responsibility, establish loyalty, and display dependability,” said Paul.

With one regular season game left on the schedule, the Warriors at 5-3 are ranked seventh place in the Virginia Independent School Athlete Association Division IV to put the Warriors in their first winning season in six years. The top four teams in the division will make the State playoffs and the Warriors have an opportunity to place.

The Warrior defensive line this season has forced and recovered eight fumbles and made five interceptions. Will Neil leads the defense with 32 tackles; followed by Nick Lofgren with 15 tackles.

“We have to continue to play fundamental football with good execution to put us in a position where we can win,” said Ken Woodie, offensive and defensive line coach. “A lot of commitment and dedication from the students is shown in this winning season. I think that is a reflection on their parents, and mostly the discipline of hardworking kids that are commitment to each other”

Help the Warriors “Ring the bells” during their Homecoming game against Grace Christian High School Friday, Oct. 30 at Butler Stadium. Kickoff is at 6 p.m.


Marine Corps Base Quantico