*By Juliet Mullins*

Varsity football beat the Blair Blazers 34-12 in the homecoming game, Oct. 2, improving to 4-1 on the season.

 The game started off strong with two touchdown passes from quarterback Henry Kuhn, one to wide receiver Michael Flack, and the other to tight end Danny Lee. With two successful extra point kicks by Danny Lee, the Vikes closed the first half leading 14-6.

Starting running back Kevin Cecala did not play in the game due to a lower back strain, giving junior Miles Davis the starting role. Davis’ outstanding play including two touchdowns during the second half, as well as other non-starters’ ability to step up and perform proved Whitman’s depth as a team.

In addition to Cecala, many other key players had to sit out of the game due to injuries. Center Ameed Nsouli, wide receiver Larry Kline and linebacker Mikey Stevens did not play in the game, giving non-starters such as Alex Hobby, Alex Hysong, Craig Fraser and Cameron Demptster the chance to excel. In addition, starting linebacker Tony Atkinson is at risk needing season-ending shoulder surgery if he reinjures himself during play. This would be a big loss for the already diminished starting lineup.

All of these injuries, though unfortunate, gave non-starters the ability to prove themselves in game situations, and they all came through. With so many injuries and second string players in, the Vikes still convincingly defeated Blair.

With one more touchdown from Blair, another Kuhn touchdown pass to Flack, Davis’ two touchdowns and a surprise, yet illegal, fireworks show from an unknown student, the game ended 34-12.

Kline believes that the team’s performance at such an important game will boost student support for the team.

“It wasn’t so much of an important divisional win,” he said. “But it is more to show the school that we’re a good team and that we need support for every game, not just homecoming.”

This game improved the Vikes’ record to 4-1, equaling their total wins from last season, and placed them in third place in Division 4A for Montgomery County.

“We’re better than Blair all across the board,” lineman Connor Gordon said. “They can’t keep up, were too strong, too fast, too big, too smart, too agile. They were scared from the beginning.”