The Harvey-Wooster football co-op took the field on Saturday, Sept. 20, with our home opener against The Pomfret School. The team came out slow, allowing a first-drive touchdown. We then proceeded to score 26 points unanswered, eventually winning the game 26-6. The victory came with some good plays from Wooster players. I had eight tackles and a sack with 18 yards rushing, a two-point conversion. Trey '28 and Ronan '26 had five tackles on the day each. Trey also had a big day receiving with six catches for 85 yards and two interceptions.
This year, we have seven Wooster students playing for Harvey, making that the most since the inception of the program. Wooster used to have a football team beginning in the 20s and was dominant in their league, prevailing as the top team in the conference. The program ended in 1988. This was due to an accident that occurred, causing the team to be permanently shut down by a board of parents.
Football Team spread in the 1988 yearbook
With no football team, people joined the cross country and soccer teams, or did not participate in a fall sport. It was a big loss for those who had played the sport most of their lives. That was until nearly 30 years later, when in 2016, a group of Wooster students wanted to play football. Since Wooster did not have a team, the Harvey-Wooster Football Co-op was born.
It had begun with just a handful of students, but they all made an impact on the team. Harvey welcomed the Wooster students with open arms. Wooster students played at a wide range of positions, all the way from quarterback to defensive line. Each year, Wooster's participation slowly grows.
The only upperclassman who was there when I first started football was Jack ’24. He was a starting wide receiver in his junior and senior years. In his senior year, he cashed in 10 touchdowns with 850 receiving yards to go with it. He then split the MVP award with a Harvey player, which demonstrates the impact he had on the team. I asked Jack what his time was like at Harvey and what he remembered the most from his time.
“Oh man, one of my personal moments when I look back on it is in the final game of my Junior year. We lost the game on the last play, and that year we had a ton of Seniors,” Jack said in a quick interview. “One of those Seniors, all from Harvey, was named Miller. He came over to me after the game. He hugged me and started crying. I began to tear up a bit, and the moment is something you do not really get anymore. The camaraderie and brotherhood are special. Miller was someone that I just played football with, and we shared that moment.”
Brotherhood is a major part of the sport. In a sport that was made to be a battle, it creates strong bonds with the people who wear the same jersey as you. Even when they go to a different school. This year, there are two Wooster seniors. I am one of the seniors; Ronan is the other. He and I both joined the co-op in 9th grade and have been together each fall since then.
Football Team page in the 2016 yearbook
“It's always been about brotherhood.” Ronan shares when asked about his time on the team. “Some games we play really push us, and it makes the team feel like a real family. Football has taught me a lot about hard work and never giving up.”
Ronan continues the sentiment that I share about the team, and I know that the younger players also feel that way. This year, we have a wide range of grades participating, including two seniors, a junior, three sophomores, and one freshman. Three of whom are newcomers this year, who include Max ’27, Trey ’28, and Henry ’29.
Coming off a championship year last year, we knew as a team we had work cut out for us. With a strong start in week one, we hope to keep this momentum going into week 2 against Hebron Academy. We play them this Sunday, Oct. 5, at 1:00 pm at a neutral site in Pomfret, CT.
Our final home game and Senior Day is against Forman on Saturday, Oct. 25.
Throughout the year, you will hear more about the football team. Check out our full schedule on the Wooster Athletics page.
Sean '26
Advanced Journalism Student
