With a majority of starters returning from a team that amassed the program’s most victories in nine years and its star running back looking to set more records as a senior, this is Hamilton West’s most anticipated football season in a decade.
And yet, no one knew if it would be played until mid-August.
With COVID-19 wreaking havoc on high school sports, it was not decided by the Hamilton Township school district until Aug. 17 that Hamilton, Steinert and Nottingham would have fall seasons. While other schools had been in the NJSIAA’s Phase One of football workouts since July 13, West waited over a month to see if it would have a chance to chase some big goals.
“Going into the summer we were trying to keep the team up,” running back Kevin Boswell said. “The only thing we could really do is think we’re having a season, hope for the best and do everything with the team when we could.”
When the news came that there would be football, senior linebacker Chase Cronce felt he got his life back.
“This is what we live for,” Cronce said. “We’ve been playing since I was 5 years old. This is everything. This is what kids in high school dream of: their senior year. Football, just putting it all out there, try to go undefeated.”
Under first-year coach Mike Papero, the Hornets posted an 8-2 record, their best since an 8-3 campaign in 2010. They won the West Jersey Football League’s Valley Division title and played tough in a South Jersey, Group 3 first-round loss to Middletown South.
But a potentially memorable follow-up year hung in the balance.
“I was a little nervous at first,” Cronce said. “I didn’t know what was going on. I was still working out. But some thoughts came to my head like ‘What if we’re working out and our season gets cancelled?’ It didn’t affect me. Me and my (twin) brother (Christopher) always had the motivation to get the work in, but it was hard.”
It was especially tough for Boswell, who thought his chance to become the school’s all-time rusher might be ruined.
Boswell broke Shelton Snead’s school records for season rushing yards (1,633) and carries in a game (33). His 20 touchdowns were one short of Snead’s season record, and with 3,184 career yards he is 62 short of Snead’s standard. He needs 11 TDs to tie Snead’s career mark of 44.
“This is my go-to thing, to try and break the record and get a (championship) ring,” Boswell said. “With no season, I wouldn’t have a chance for the record and someone else may get it now. I want that record.”
And he wants to win.
“The chemistry is there,” Boswell said. “Some of us have been together since Pop Warner. Now we have to build a relationship with the new guys coming in so we’re all on the same page.”
One thing they all agree on is, it is great to merely play again.
“I’m just glad we have some games,” senior quarterback Mike Nielsen said.
“It was just so much relief knowing we would play,” Christopher Cronce added. “Almost more relief than joy. But I was happy. I was super excited.”
The one downer is that due to COVID-19 restrictions, total tickets for home games are limited to two per game for each player, cheerleader and band member.
“I’m bummed about that,” Christopher Cronce said. “We have our whole family there every single game; like 20 people. But at least we’re playing.”
Which is the bottom line, according to Papero.
“We couldn’t imagine what it would be like for these seniors to not play for the Orange and Black again,” he said. "Not because we have so much talent, but these are great kids who have committed to our program and put in all the work we’ve asked for the past three years.
“I’m not even talking about the star players. Every kid who put in the work, this was going to be their year to play and see what they could do. Whether it’s a player getting his break or just getting his turn, they deserve to be on the field.”
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