After a win in the first game of the season against Andover, 12-7, members of Varsity Football are hopeful for a bounce-back season.

Given last season’s 1-7 record, the team comes into this season with a lot to prove. Co-captain and Columbia University commit Jackson Powell ’26 said, “The team has more depth this year than in recent years, and this season will be a fun one to watch.”

New recruits include Leonard Borchart ’26, Tomáš Buriánek ’26, Jaylen Johnson ’26, Freddy Conyers ’27, and Atakan Aydin ’28. Johnson, a post-graduate from Landsdowne, Pennsylvania, will start as running back and safety. Conyers comes to the school from Pittsfield, Massachusetts as a wide receiver. Germans Borchart and Aydin will strengthen the offensive line. Buriánek arrives from Prague, Czech Republic, and will play linebacker.

In the game against Andover on Saturday, September 13, Andover struck first, scoring a touchdown. Hotchkiss answered with a field goal scored by Constantine Theocharis ’28, a new Lower Mid from Montreal. A touchdown, scored by Owen Rourke ’26, earned the school six more points before the end of the second period.

In the second half of the game, Hotchkiss tacked on another field goal to go up 12-7.

The outcome of the game hung on the teams’ defenses, with the low final score serving as a testament to their strength. The Bearcats’ defense prevented Andover from scoring any points in the final two periods.

Coach Quinn said, “They are a tough, high-character group of guys. They play together and for each other. I expect that we will be competitive against every team we play and win a lot of games this season. The team has set a really high standard and lofty goals for themselves.”