Derek Jeter once quoted, “There may be people who have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do.”

The pandemic has changed the high school experience a lot– more specifically, our football team. Let’s look back to see how we arrived where we are today:

Last year, during the first autumn of living through the COVID-19 pandemic, our football team was given a shortened season, not knowing whether it would be completed to the end. There were rumors stating that more games may be added, but the players did not know for sure. Despite this uncertainty, they still prepared for their season: they learned plays, worked out (on their own since indoor weight rooms were not yet re-opened), and conditioned themselves. No one would out-condition them.

Throughout the season, the varsity football team played with a limited number of fans in the bleachers, the absence of the marching band and cheerleaders at away games, and the uncertainty of what the next week would bring. As surrounding teams had to forfeit games due to quarantines, our Freehold Colonials fielded every game and committed themselves to be as careful to avoid close-contact so that their season could continue. 

After competing in the six regular-season games (in which the team scored 5-1), the Colonials then played two “pod” games against Rumson-Fairhaven and Southern Regional. They won against the Southern Rams with a victorious 38-35, but lost to the Rumson-Fairhaven Bulldogs 3-28. 

This year, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) assigned the Freehold Colonial football team a season of six games, carrying the “pod” schedule. However, Coach Ellis was able to set up a game with the Jackson Memorial Jaguars in Week Zero, giving the Colonials an extended season.

As of the writing of this article, the Colonials are 3-3, with wins against Jackson, Freehold Township, and Toms River High School East, and losses to Long Branch High School, Toms River South, and Saint John Vianney.

NJSIAA will review the team’s standings and assign two additional pod games after Week Six.  The results of all the games and PowerPoint standings will determine postseason participation and seeding. 

To help out our boys on the team, come to the games, and let’s raise the energy from the stands. Each game has its own bleacher-fans theme, so be sure to follow Boro Bleachers on Instagram, @boro_bleacher to stay updated.