Photo by Lindsay Chu

With a record of 7-3, the football team achieved their best record since 2005 despite their small roster. With 25 kids on the varsity roster, 17 of them seniors for the regular season, the players had to work extra hard to achieve success. 

Head Coach Anthony Nazzaro, who has coached the football team for four years, said the team benefits from the knowledge of these skilled senior players and feeds off what they know to become a more advanced and cohesive team. 

The on-field results have proven this to be true, particularly for the offensive line. The team registered a total of 2,067 rushing yards this season, averaging 229.67 yards per game. Along with these rushing yards, there have been a total of 22 rushing touchdowns. 

“We have an experienced offensive line so that helps with the offensive side and defensively the same thing, with our defensive line and linebackers being very experienced,” Nazzaro said. 

Heading into the playoffs, Poolesville finished the regular season with a 7-2 record, continuing to show improvement each year under Nazzaro. 

“We are a pretty self-motivated group,” Nazzaro said. “They want to win and I think last year having a taste of a little bit of success finishing 5-4 in the regular season and losing a close game in the playoffs kinda made them hungry for this year. I think they came in pretty motivated in the off-season and during the season to want to win and be successful.” 

The team started off the season with a 29-21 overtime win against BCC. They continued this winning streak, beating Wootton, Watkins Mill, Rockville, Magruder, and Catoctin. After losing to Churchill in the homecoming game, the team rebounded to defeat Kennedy 13-12. The following week, the team lost to Manchester Valley in a close game, almost making the comeback. 

The small team has also driven the group to be closer as a group and more effective on the field. Senior running back Evan Taylor averaged 188 rushing yards per game and scored 15 touchdowns during the regular season. Taylor added that fan attendance and energy have been a huge factor in the team’s success as well.

“It honestly helps a lot because it gives the whole team more confidence playing with all the support we have,” Taylor said. 

Not only does the team benefit from the participation of students at games, but school spirit does as well. Athletic Director Regina Grubb noted that the increase in student spectators has drawn more attention to football games in turn adding even more student participation. She hopes the newfound success of the football team will draw future players to create a stronger team with more depth down the roster in the future.

“Success is a big factor in participation,” Grubb said. “Students want to be a part of a good program and positive culture. My hope is that the success of the football program along with the success of our other fall sport teams will bring out more students who want to be a part of our athletic program.”

Ending the regular season, the team took first place in their division and earned a bye for week one of the playoffs. In the second round, they suffered a 28-14 defeat against Walkersville, ending their season.