On Saturday, Oct. 19, the Continentals football team took to Steuben Field to face the Amherst College Mammoths. The team, who last defeated Amherst all the way back in 1992, proved to be ready to defend their home turf and show the Mammoths what Bowdoin College and Colby College both experienced in earlier games this season. With a 2–3 record heading into the game, the team was hungry for a win that would put them at .500 heading into the final three games of the season. As it turned out, the Continentals re-wrote some history in their 31–28 win over Amherst, with the victory marking just the second win Hamilton has recorded against their NESCAC rival.
During the game, senior quarterback Kenny Gray ’20 passed for 193 yards and rushed for a crucial touchdown. Will Bundigton ’21, Chistian Donahoe ’20, and Sam Robinson ’20 each caught five passes on the day. Running back Joe Park ’22 ran for 61 yards and scored on a 15-yard run to open the scoring.
Defensively, the Continentals overwhelmed the Mammoths as Chirstian Snell ’22, Carmine Bruno ’20, and James Ball ’21 all recorded nine tackles. Ian Esliker ’21 also came up with his second interception of the year, which seemed to turn the momentum back in favor of the Continentals in the second half. Although the Mammoths were able to score an unlikely touchdown after one of their own punts struck the leg of a Continental player, Hamilton’s team refused to get down. Given the chance, they charged back and scored 14 unanswered points to stun the Mammoths. A clutch field goal by Sam Thoreen ’22 from 40 yards with just 4 seconds remaining on the clock secured the 31–28 win for the Continentals. Thoreen’s performance was recognized by NESCAC conference voters as he was named Special Teams Player of the Week. Ball ’21 also received honors as NESCAC Defensive Player of the Week for his standout performance on the day.
After this game,
The Spectator
spoke with two Continentals, A.J. Rattee ’21, offensive linemen from Northfield, NH, and Connor Cates ’21, wide receiver from Acton, MA, to discuss the season ahead of the final three games.
The Spectator
: How is this year’s team different from prior seasons’ teams?
Rattee
: This team is more about the team than individual accomplishments, so there is definitely a better morale overall going into games and better chemistry all the time.
Cates
: Every year the talent on the team has kept getting better. Above that, the team is more focused on doing what we need to do and less focused on what the rest of the league is doing.
Spectator
: What are you guys doing differently this year?
Rattee
: We have a new offense that works well for the athletes we have on our team. We are also doing yoga weekly to emphasize our recovery efforts and keep the team healthy.
Cates
: We have a new Offensive Coordinator and a new offense this year which is much more explosive and dangerous than before. Yoga is also our new recovery program post game which seems to be helping us more than the old running cool down did.
Spectator
: What did the Amherst win mean to the team?
Rattee
: It means we’re heading in the right direction — to be a good team we have to beat good teams and we showed that we can do that.
Cates
: The Amherst win meant a lot. It was something we have come close to before like in the Trinity game, but putting the complete game together and coming out on top showed what we have been working towards. It validates the hard work we have all put in.
Spectator
: Looking ahead, what are your thoughts for the final three games?
Rattee
: We’re ready for 3 tough games that are going to come down to the very last possession each week and play for the top team in the league.
Cates
: The last three games are all winnable for us. We are focused on Tufts right now and the games after that will fall into place.
The team is ready and looking forward to their final three games of the 2019 season. The team will be on the road for their next two games as they take on Tufts University on Saturday, Oct. 26 and Middlebury College on Saturday, Nov. 2. Their final home game will be against Bates College on Saturday, Nov. 9.
