The Varsity Football Team started the season strong with a 29-13 victory against Trinity Pawling last Saturday, September 17, with Johnny Bennett ’23 sliding into the endzone to score the final touchdown. Students with blue face paint and hair spray filled the stands at Sprole Field to support the team. Students with the club Team One Love sold hot dogs and hamburgers to raise money for the One Love Foundation, which is dedicated to educating adolescents about healthy relationships. The win brought confidence to the team amidst changes to the coaching staff. Mr. Danny Smith, who led the football team as Head Coach for over two decades, retired from coaching last year. Coach Dempsey Quinn, who had been on the varsity staff for two years, stepped up to the position of head coach.
Before his time at Hotchkiss, Coach Quinn was coached at The Berkshire School for two years and at Brown University 2017 and 2018. During college, he played as Cornell University’s starting linebacker for four years. Coach Quinn is optimistic for the upcoming season. He said, “I couldn’t ask for a better group of kids. They bring the same kind of energy, kindness, honesty, and caring attitude on and off the field.”
During the summer, Coach Quinn began preparations for the season, leading a preseason camp, arranging Zoom meetings to teach the team new plays and concepts, and organizing exercises to build positive team culture and spirit.
Many players expressed excitement at the new program and the energy Coach Quinn is bringing to the team. Liam Morvillo ’25, a new Lower Mid and wide receiver said, “I think we’re going to be much better than we have been in the past few years. Coach Quinn has some great plans for this season.”
Captain Liam Burke ’24 is positive about the team’s potential for the season. He says, “I have full confidence in Coach Quinn as our new head coach. He has put in a bunch of time throughout the off season building a new program and culture around our team.” Carl Lund ’23 said, “Coach Quinn has brought us together closer and has been amazing on and off the field.”
While Coach Quinn has worked to create a strong team bond and a healthy environment, he also expressed worries for the season, saying, “I think I’m always a little nervous when it’s a new league, there are always a lot of unknowns, especially in prep schools. We have a lot of young kids that will play significant roles for the first time, and you hope they are prepared, but you never really know until you know.”
With their first win under their belt, however, many players are feeling very confident about the team’s potential. Graham Prinz ’24, a defensive end, said, “I’m not nervous for the season. We know our potential, and Coach Quinn knows how to get us to the next level. We’re locked in.”
