Football Beats Avalon, Raises Awareness for Sickle Cell Disease

The Varsity Football Eagles improved their record to 4-0 after a dominant win over The Avalon School on Friday, September 20. 

The Eagles controlled the contest from the start, jumping out to a 20-0 lead after the first quarter and a 33-0 lead heading into halftime. Junior quarterback Caleb Williams played a highly efficient game throwing three touchdown passes while senior runningback and captain Malcolm Terry II scored four touchdowns on the ground. Junior defensive backs Jalen McMurray and Jay Oliver turned in great performances on defense and on special teams. McMurray had an interception while Oliver recovered an onsides kick attempt. Click here to see some great photos from the game as well as tributes to some of our alums playing college football

During the week leading up to the game--Gonzaga's Homecoming Game--the team worked with WZAG and student services to support National Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Former Captain Dean Engram '19 (Wisconsin University) and current freshman Trey, who plays on the freshman football team, lost their sister Bobbi to sickle cell disease in August of 2018. Their eight year-old sister Phoebe has the disease and is currently fighting her battle.

Rodney Faulk '20, Jestus Johnson '20, Colin Watson '20, Stephen Cullina '21, Justin Ennis '21, and Aaron Turner '21 helped lead the awareness throughout the week. The group produced a video that aired on WZAG and helped promote and organize a school-wide dress down day to wear red--the color of National Sickle Cell Awareness Month.

In solidarity with the football program, the school community wore red during the school day and at the game. "No one has ever come to a Gonzaga football game and seen a sea of red in our student section," says Assistant Varsity Coach Conrad Singh '00. "It was a wonderful show of support, and did an excellent job raising awareness for this cause that is so close to our hearts."

Phoebe Engram was an honorary captain and was overjoyed to be able to toss the coin at midfield before the game. "Just knowing people care and want to help," she says, "makes me feel good!"

 
 
 
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Football's next game is against traditional Florida powerhouse Plant High School from Tampa on Friday, September 27 at 6:30 PM on Buchanan Field.

Go Gonzaga!
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