When senior Nick Chille walks by the football field, the stands are empty. The cheers that once filled the air on a Friday night are empty, and no players are lining up at the 50 yardline. For Chille, all he has are the memories of the season to reflect on.

The 25th annual football banquet provided him with the perfect venue to do so, along with all of his coaches and teammates.

The banquet, held at the high school on Saturday, January 25, gathered the an assembly of coaches, players, parents, and even the water girls for a meal in the cafeteria.  The event then moved to the Performing Arts Center, where the rest of the evening’s events took place.

Head coach Pete Lancetta began by reflecting on the season and how it didn’t play out as they had all hoped, but that he was proud of the accomplishments they did achieve. He also thanked several individuals responsible for fundraising and organization throughout the season.

Following tradition, Lancetta proceeded to give a brief speech about each individual senior on the team.  With a vast group of 24 seniors, his son Pete included, there was a lot to share.

“I thought Coach Pete hit it spot on, he’s known me since I was little.  He told me that since day one I was born to have my hand planted in the ground as an offensive lineman,” said senior Robert Frederico.

“I feel like Coach Pete connects to me,” said senior Brian Siligato.  “That’s my man.”

Senior players also got the opportunity to speak about their coaching staff.

Frederico and fellow lineman Brandon Beebe gave a duet-style speech to defensive lineman coach, Coach Frank and presented him with a gift: a 2 x 4 block of wood signed by all the seniors on the  defensive line, a symbolic gesture that reflected some of Coach Frank’s advice.

“If we didn’t lock out arms out, he would threaten to tape two by fours to our arms so we would learn not to bend them.  It was the most fitting gift we could think of,” Frederico explained.

Senior Matt Matro, who played center, shared some words about Coach Lou Morganwick, offensive and defensive varsity lineman coach.

“I felt like Coach Lou was a great coach,” he said. “He was always there for us throughout the year.  He taught us a lot and I think we all really appreciated having him as a coach.”

Morganweck appreciated Matro’s speech, saying,  “He did a very good job.  Matro talked about all the times between when he first met me up until now.  It was very good.”

Senior Joe Pinto, a lineman, spoke about a coach which was a new addition to the coaching staff this year, Coach Mark Treblehorn, often referred to as “Trebz.”  Pinto, during his speech, joked about him.

“I called him a leprechaun.  I said he does this little Irish jig when we had to do his workouts over the summer because he was so happy that he finally got to contribute something to the team,” Pinto said with a laugh.  But, on a more serious note during the speech, Pinto said that Treblehorn was a like a “second father” to him, which suggests the strong bond that can form between senior players and their coaches. , Joe also said “he was like a second father to me.”

Treblehorn enjoyed the speech.

“He said he was always going to remember the workouts that I created for him and the team and that he learned a lot from them and really benefitted from them…and then he called me a leprechaun,” he said.

Senior, captain, fullback, and linebacker Dylan Rosu gave a heartfelt speech about defensive coordinator, Coach Frank Raso, who said Rosu’s words were “some of the  nicest compliments a player has ever paid me.”

Although the season outcome may have left players and coaches with a sense of disappointment, the banquet, with all its reflections, laughs, and expressions of gratitude offered some closure.