T. Andronescu

Jefferson’s defensive line faces off against FCA Bucks during the Homecoming 2024 game. “I’ve been doing pretty good this season, so I’m just going to keep doing what I do,” junior offensive tackle and defensive end Brian Bowers said.

Jefferson’s varsity football team won 38-18 against FCA Bucks in the 2024 Homecoming game on Friday, Sept. 27.

This was the Colonials’ first win this season. The Colonials won against the FCA Bucks last year for the annual Homecoming game with a score of 26-12. 

“We got guys going out there in practice giving their 100% and making sure that we are ready,” senior captain and offensive tackle Aayush Sethi said.

The team practiced daily to prepare for the game, learning from their mistakes and doing drills.

“Our coaches did pursuit drill and we started practice with conditions,” senior wide receiver, fullback and linebacker Muhammad Baig said. “We haven’t had a single practice inside in regards to the rain. No matter how hard it’s raining, it’s wet, sloppy, so whatever conditions, we tried them.”

The team also worked on new skills and new strategies prior to this game. They also developed a more advanced system for their defense and offense.

“We’re working on new coverages and newfronts,” Sethi said. “Offensively we’re running most of the same playbook, which we have, but, you know, just really making sure that guys are more prepared. Quarterbacks, receivers, running backs, O line, everybody knows what they’re doing and it’s  that mentality of doing your job. That is what’s really helping us.”

Despite a bumpy, and slow start, allowing the FCA Bucks to catch up to the Colonials’ score, the Colonials turned around in the second half, breaking away from the close score from the FCA Bucks.

“During the first half, I could have done better if I had the same intensity that I did in the second half,” junior linebacker and running back Abdul Bundu said. “I could have had twice my yards [and] twice my touchdowns.”

Before the game, two players, including senior captain Jake Foster as well as senior safety and wide receiver Cherish Seelam got injured. Both of these players had to sit out for the Homecoming game.

“I’m out for the season,” Seelam said. “I feel terrible.”

One of the skills that the team struggled with, but eventually progressed on was the offensive line. During practice, the team ran drills that focused on improving their offensive lines.

“Our offense has a lot [to] work on, we just have to do our job,” Baig said. “There was a [previous game] where we scored a touchdown and somebody wasn’t on the line. When [the referees] called it back, it became a lot harder to score that touchdown

The Colonials play John R Lewis High School on Oct. 10 at home. After that, they will play the Digital Pioneers Academy at the St. James on Oct. 18. 

“If you don’t know, St James is a really nice venue where you can play sports,” Seelam said “It’s indoors, so it’s really nice if you have time to come.”

The team’s winning record after this game is 1-3, but the Colonials are adamant that they will bring it up after this game’s win.

“We’re at one and three right now, but we’re gonna get that record up,” Bundu said.