A Collective Effort
For the past week, the atmosphere at the Springfield Gardens campus was hyped. This was all because 0f the upcoming champion playoffs for our Springfield Gardens Varsity Boys Football team.
However, the Eagles did not disappoint. On Saturday, December 2nd, 2023, they won in the Championship finals against Petride High School. The score was 30-06.
Last year Springfield Gardens had it rough as most of their games ended in losses. However, the Eagles made an incredible comeback this season, showing their true strength and determination on the field. Moreover, there were no standout players in this game; it was a full-on collective effort and teamwork that propelled the Eagles to claim the championship title this time around.
The stats above prove the Springfield Gardens Football team has had an amazing year. Some members of the winning Springfield Gardens Football Team are students of Queens Preparatory Academy. These students are: Brian Ali, Jermani Desir, Nazheim McPhil, David Odum, O’Shane Panton, Branger Rivera and Matthew Saunders.
Members of the team were happy about the win and willing to share their experiences of the 2023 season.
Nazheim McPhill
What was your motivation?
My teammates but mostly coaches Lancaster & Wallace.
How do you feel about the win?
I feel great and more than happy, but also sad, because I’ll never play high school football again.
How did you train for this season and the championship game?
I went to practice every single day and even put in extra hours at the gym.
Jermani Desir
How do you feel about the win?
I feel great. it’s nice to see all the hard work me and my teammates put into practice show in the final game. It especially feels nice to do it in my senior year.
What was your motivation?
Well, to win and to leave something behind.
What do you mean to leave something behind?
A championship. A banner. Something that people years later will look at and remember.
Branger Rivera
What was your motivation?
My motivation was my Grandpa. Before he died he told me I should keep playing football.
How did you train for this season and the Championship game?
I went to the gym and we had a workout called the “Big Apple” that was supposed to keep our bodies in shape.
Matthew Saunders
How do you feel about the win?
I feel great about it. it’s been 26 years since Springfield played in a championship game and I’m happy to know I’m a part of the team that made it to the finals and won. In 1997 Springfield played in the championship game against Boys and Girls and lost, so being able to take it home after 26 years is nice.
How did you train for this season and the Championship game?
We trained extremely hard. We were in cold 30 degree weather. Our hands went numb sometimes. For the championship game we practiced our defense to make sure it would hold against theirs, and we made sure our offense could handle theirs.
Brian Ali
What was your motivation?
Our coaches, especially coach Wallace.
How did you train for this season and the Championship game?
We watched the team and figure out a game plan.
What’s next for you?
Lead the team next year, maybe get into a higher division.
Congratulating the Team
QPA’s staff congratulated Coach Lancaster who expressed his appreciation for the school community’s support of the team over the years. Additionally, QPA Math teacher Ms. Chin sent a special tribute to everyone involved in this achievement.
I am so excited for our players, coaches and school community following the championship win! I have known and supported many of the players beginning in their freshmen and sophomore years while on the junior varsity team, so it was extremely special for me to see the same group of players not only make it to the championship, but to win it. I could just imagine how much it means to them, and how proud they are of themselves and one another. I congratulate the coaches and families! Let’s Go Eagles!
— Ms. Tashia Chin
The entire Springfield Gardens community is beaming with pride for this remarkable achievement. Congratulations to the Eagles on an outstanding season and a well-deserved championship win.
