October 31, 2022 by John Vilca ’23 by Sorell Mcintire ’25
With a lot on the line for the Homecoming game on Friday, October 28th, the Blue Streaks came out determined early and dominated with a 34-6 win over Colonie Central. A big moment for Toga, this win secured a trip to the playoffs for the first time in four years. Senior Victor Santabar described the team’s hard work during the season. He said, “First playoff team in years, it feels d–n good to be here. A lot of work, a lot of young guys came up and played very well.”
Coach Terry Jones came in with an all-around game plan to get through the Colonie defense in every way. Coach Jones said, “We wanted to run Carter [Vaughn] and spread the ball around throwing to Gordo [Gordon Murray] and to Makiah [Anderson] and to Mello [Christian Mello].”
It was the night of Homecoming and the senior game for the Blue Streaks, another motivator for the team. When asked about how he thought his players felt playing in front of the home crowd, coach Terry Jones said, “I think the kids are always excited to play, especially when their classmates and their fans come out to see them play.”
For the players, that statement could not be more accurate. After the game, Santabar talked about how he had always dreamt about a moment like Friday. He said, “It was amazing, great to be here. Coming out of that tunnel was awesome. For years I’ve dreamed about doing that, the walk. That was awesome.”
Fellow senior Gordon Murray shared his thoughts on the Homecoming game and the fans in the stands. He said, “Every time I hear that roar, it spikes me, man. I feel like I’m ready to go every single time I hear them get loud and it’s fun hyping them up on the sideline and in the game and it’s great to know they’ll still support us after how bad our past seasons have been.” The home crowd was loud and they pumped up the team the entire game, which added to the Blue Streaks’ energy.
For the seniors, as this was their final regular season game in their high school careers, it gave the players even more motivation to play and win the game. Gordon Murray described the journey from freshman to senior year when he said, “Being on an 0-8 team as a freshman and a 2-6 team as a junior, it’s feeling pretty great. It’s like a dream come true, senior year, going to the playoffs for the first time in 4 years.”
Sofia Anzaroot, girlfriend of Victor Santabar, shared how much this season meant for Victor and his motivation throughout his football career. She said, “Victor has shared with me his dreams about really leaving this team better than he found it and it’s been a pleasure watching him do that. He really has turned this team upside down in the 8 seasons he’s been with this.” This will be, for the entire team, their first taste of the playoffs. The home crowd may not be present but the energy and determination in this team will no doubt follow them into their next games.
With the Blue Streaks locked into the playoffs, their mindsets immediately must switch to this Friday’s game against CBA in the first round of the playoffs. The Blue Streaks have faced CBA once already this season on Friday, October 21st, and lost 20-0. However, Murray believes his team can defeat CBA. He said, “Last week it was a tough game, but it was close. The score doesn’t reflect that, but on the field, it felt like we were there. I feel like if we get there with full energy… we’re going to pull it out.”
Coach Terry Jones has faith in his players and gives his players a message of win or go home and knows they’ll be locked in and ready to play. He said, “They know what the message is. They know where we’re at, it’s win and move on, lose and go home… they know what’s at stake.”