Written By: Anna O’Mary

More than halfway through the fall season, the Rye Country Day School Varsity Football team has made an effort to not just compete but succeed. Currently holding a 4-1 record, their success can be credited to a determined mindset many of the players held going into preseason.

With the foundation of double sessions and multiple scheduled lifts throughout the last two weeks in August, the football team was prepared for their home opener on September 6 versus St. Luke’s School. Despite a slow start, the team accomplished a 14-7 win. Their next game against Fieldston began a new initiative deemed the first Game of the Week. This game resulted in a tough 13-12 win as well.

Rolling into the following week, a tough away game versus Hackley culminated in a 12-28 loss, considering the packed Hackley crowd for their school’s homecoming weekend. In another away matchup against King, the team pulled through with a 22-14 victory once again. Most recently, the Wildcats traveled to play Montclair Kimberley Academy, once again being scheduled for their homecoming game. A 13-0 win was achieved, solidifying their notable record in the regular season. 

Throughout the season, energy and determination have been high. Captain Will Hawkey ‘27 expressed how “through our hard work we would be able to shock people.” Their commitment has definitely paid off and given the team leverage. Senior captain Milin Torgalkar ‘26 expressed how a beneficial “players-only meeting [brought] a new level of intensity at practice the following week, proving the team would ‘bend not break.’” Overall, the spirit for the varsity football team is only increasing. 

As the regular season comes to a close, anticipation only continues to build with each game, with the end of October marking the start of MIFL playoffs.