Varsity Football Falls to Canarsie in Quarterfinals
The team captains walk out for the coin toss against Canarsie. Photo: jayshotitfirst
By ELLIOTT PIERCE
The Varsity Football Team’s 2022 season came to a close on November 26 as the Hornets fell to Canarsie in the quarterfinals by a score of 29-12.
Despite a disappointing ending, Midwood flourished in the regular season as one of the most exciting teams in the city. Following a 1-2 start, the team ripped off four straight wins to close the season, capping off a 5-2 campaign.
The Hornets weren’t just winning, they were winning in dominating fashion, defeating their opponents by over 20 points per game during the streak, behind an offense that scored over 30 points per game. The team did not suffer a home loss all year.
With their newfound momentum, the team rolled into the playoffs and proceeded to obliterate Port Richmond 36-0 in the first round, before finally being stopped by Canarsie in the quarterfinals.
Last year's squad demonstrated similar success, going 5-4. Unfortunately, the similarities between the two teams included their playoff fates, as last year’s team also suffered a loss to Canarsie in the quarterfinal.
Head Coach Brandon Reddish deserves credit for leading his team to a solid season in his first year at the helm. “It's been tremendous,” said Mr. Reddish. “We started a little slow, but once we got clicking, things were rolling.”
Mr. Reddish felt pleased with the atmosphere that surrounded his players in the locker room and off the field. “They communicate a lot,” he said. “They’ve gotten a lot better from week one up until now at trusting each other. You can tell that they are brothers by everything that they do.”
The team being so tightly knit makes sense considering that they practice every school day in preparation for a Saturday game—quite a challenge even without the serving of homework and studying that Midwood students get. “You do what you gotta do on the field, and you do what you gotta do off the field. That’s it,” said team captain Kemel Snipes ‘23.
Going into the game against number two Canarsie, the players fully believed in their capabilities and were not intimidated by their opponents' ranking. “They’re writing us off,” said Quentin Ogunyemi ‘24. “We’re not gonna write back. We're proving everyone wrong.”
The team seemed to ooze confidence and the belief that they had the potential to beat anybody. “Our expectations are to make it to the chip,” said Snipes.
While those expectations were ultimately not met, the team fought furiously to reach them. Midwood embraced the role of the underdog and came out buzzing in the first half.
The Hornets drew first blood in the first quarter on a Dezmond Smith ‘24 touchdown pass to receiver Marlon King '24 to take a 6-0 lead.
That early score would be the only time either team found the end zone in the first half, as Midwood’s stout, amped-up defense held a team that scored 38 points per game to just three through the first 24 minutes.
In the third quarter, Canarsie eventually scored to take the lead, but the Midwood offense struck right back. Smith, the team’s captain and quarterback, tossed his second touchdown pass of the game to receiver LeBrone Baker ‘23, giving the team a 12-10 lead and a trip to the semifinals in sight.
Unfortunately for Midwood, Canarsie finally found the explosiveness they had showcased all season, scoring 19 unanswered points to close out the game and ending Midwood’s dreams of a city championship.
Despite the sense of déjà vu the returning players may have felt from a second consecutive quarterfinal defeat to Canarsie, the teammates had positive memories of what was a fun season. “It's been a long ride with the guys,” said Smith. “We're all one, we're all connected. The season has been great.”
With this season in the books, the seniors can finally rest after being of great service to the program and their teammates. Returning players are already turning their focus to next season, and the goal of a championship.