Football tackled 2021 season with ambition

As they walk out of the locker room doors on their 2021 season, the Football Knights end this season with an impressive 9-3 record and a stellar 5-0 record in the American Red division. 

Friday night football was embraced at a whole new level this year. Due to COVID-19, the fall 2020 season was an anomaly in which there were no students allowed at games. After these restrictions were lifted for the 2021 season, the community ecstatically filled the bleachers with spirit and energy game in and game out.

Although their scrimmages and first game appeared as a bad omen for the season, the Knights quickly found their competitive, athletic identity that makes them so special. In times of struggle a team looks for leadership to lift them back up. Captains Joe Visaggio, Michael Sangillo and Chris Corbo all set an uplifting tone for the team.

“When you play for West Essex, losing isn’t an option,” senior captain Joe Visaggio said. “We hate losing more than we like winning. After a tough couple of weeks early on in the season my goal was to keep my teammates’ minds positive because it’s not easy to win a varsity football game, especially against very good competition. 

This ‘all in’ attitude set by Visaggio and his fellow captains helped the Knight’s quickly turn their season around where they went on to have a 9-1 record in the following ten games. 

In addition to the excitement of their victories, the Knight’s had apparent chemistry on the field that is rare to come by. From the offense to the defense, to the coaches and the fans, it was clear that each person had an unwavering love and appreciation for the Knights. The team had a large, close-knit senior squad making it all the more special when the Knights clinched a conference win on their senior night. 

“Being able to play the best sport in the world with my best friends is all I could ever ask for,” Vissagio said. “Winning the American Red division with them on senior night was one of the many unforgettable moments of this season.”

Despite falling short in the state sectional finals to West Morris Central, the Knights left the field knowing they did all they could to make it the best season possible. In addition to their passion for winning, their love and respect for each other and the game is a legacy that this 2021 team will leave behind. 

“Although we didn’t accomplish our ultimate goal there was nothing to be ashamed of,” Visaggio said. “ I couldn’t be more proud to say I was a member of this football team.”