On this day last year, the football team opened its season with an away game at heated rival McGann-Mercy, earning a wild, rain-soaked victory beneath the Friday Night lights. Still trailing as the fourth quarter waned, salvation was found in the arm of senior quarterback Tory Abrahamsen, playing in his first football game. On a button-hook, Abrahamsen found All-County player Lesedi Malete who snagged it, spun past a defender, and took it 60-yards for the touchdown in the biggest play of the season. The ringing of Johnston Hall’s bell signaled the 27-26 triumph upon the team’s return to campus, and the celebration spilled into Monro Hall as the mud-covered warriors recounted the game’s events.

“Beating your rivals, at their place, in a two-minute drill, with a game-winning pass is something you dream about,” remembered Abrahamsen. “Actually doing it was an incredible experience and easily something I will remember the rest of my life.” Malete echoed this sentiment when he recalled the play of the season:

Words cannot explain how I felt putting my team on my shoulders and giving them the privilege of a victory. It was priceless. When that ball went up in the air I had nothing in my head except trying to get in position to catch Tory’s pass. As soon as I caught it I saw the DB was out of position and made one move to the outside and just let my legs run as fast as possible.

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