On this day 25 years ago, the football team closed its first winning season since 1972 with a 21-12 victory over Wheatley.

After the Wildcats opened the scoring, the Brook took a 7-6 lead in the second quarter when sophomore quarterback Toby Hanchett capped a seven-play, 66-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown pass to Terrence Jackson. From there the defense, led by co-captain Sam Herring and Brett Palmer, mired the Wheatley offense while Hanchett and co-captain Cameron Thiessen catalyzed the Blue and White.

The win allowed the Bears to finish 4-3, giving them their first winning season since John Engstrom’s boys went 5-3 in 1972.

At season’s end Thiessen, who averaged 7.6 yards per carry on the season, was named to the Island Conference All-Star team along with Herring and Palmer. Honorable mention was given to James Lecci, Joe Loiacono, and Hanchett.

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