by Bea Peterson
What a season for HFCS Field Hockey and Football! Each team, through their effort, dedication and hard work made it to the NY State Final Four. The Field Hockey run ended on Friday, November 20, at Vestal High School. The Football run ended on Saturday, November 21, in Kingston.
It was an impressive season for all HFCS fall sports. Senior Taylor Bellemere won the Class C/D Sectional Golf
Championship and made the cut for the State qualifier. The girls Soccer Team was 14-3 overall and placed first in the WASAREN League. The boys Soccer team was 10-6-1 overall and placed third in the WASAREN League. Field Hockey won the WASAREN League Sportsmanship Award, and the girls Soccer, Field Hockey and Football teams are all Scholar-Athlete teams. Another school asset is the Cheerleading Squad which is there in all weather to cheer on the football team and to fire up the fans. They have had a great season too.
Athletic Director Mike Lilac reported that 43.1 percent of the junior and senior high school participated in sports. Overall the teams won 77.2 percent of their games. It’s the highest percentage since Lilac has been keeping records. School Superintendent Ken Facin said their accomplishments are “very galvanizing, to the school and to the community. They’re a great group of kids; respectful, and I’m proud of what they have accomplished.”
Alumni Coaches
Field Hockey Coach Denise Campbell and Football Coach Ron Jones are both HFCS alumni. HFCS was Campbell’s first teaching job. She has coached other places, but, she said, “Nothing beats the tradition that Hoosick Falls has for Field Hockey. I couldn’t imagine going anywhere else.” Jones taught and coached here, then left for a few years and returned in 2001. “I love the kids,” he said. Last year’s graduating class was the first he had worked with from kindergarten on. Jones said he has seen some great changes in the school in recent years. “It’s a great place to work and coach,” he said.
Great Year
Coach Campbell said her team always hopes to win Sectionals. To go on to States was a bonus. Samantha Skott tied Coach Campbell’s record for 23 goals in a season. The team record was 19-3. Football Coach Ron Jones said, “We played to our potential. It’s hard to be disappointed in an 11-1 season. In Kingston we played well. Bronxville was darn good. They just made one more play than we did.” He was not surprised to learn his players were Scholar-Athletes. “When a team is motivated like this team, they do everything well,” he said. The fans helped too. “We always have large turnouts and I’m grateful for that,” said Jones.
Lets Hear It For The Fans
“Let’s go Panthers…” and “Defense, Defense…” and the rumble of feet on the bleachers has been heard loud and often at Sectional Field Hockey games and home and Sectional Football games. Fans have been there in the freezing cold and in the pouring rain. Their enthusiasm never lags. They come to games with banners, blue and white painted faces, horns and whatnot. “The Pep Band has been a great addition this year,” said Coach Jones.
Support for HFCS sports is not just on the fields. Community businesses are generous to the teams. Come Sectional time encouraging signs are visible on the streets, in business windows and hanging from houses. Celebratory parades through the Village, with lights flashing and horns honking after a victory, are common. What bodes well for the school bodes well for the Town. Let’s see what the Winter sports season brings.
