By John Hurwitz ‘10

Managing Editor

On Sept. 12, the 2009 Windward football squad took the field against Riverside Christian. Fans and parents, however, may have noticed something different about the Wildcats. The team lined up 11 players instead of the usual eight for the first time in school history.

Although there were three extra Windward players on the gridiron, the boys took care of business in the same fashion they have since 2007 and blew out their former eight-man rivals 51-6. The game kicked off the 2009 campaign and was the opening leg on the long road to the coveted CIF Southern Section championship game.

As of Nov. 3, the Wildcats hold a 7-0 record and have outscored opponents 328-96. One of the most impressive wins came against the Faith Baptist Contenders of Canoga Park, who held the No. 1 eight-man football ranking in the country prior to the matchup.

Senior quarterback, running back and linebacker Bryce Napier reflected on the week leading up to the Faith Baptist game, “All of us knew we were capable of winning the Faith game if we played well enough. Even though we were missing our top receiver [senior] Blayr [Jimmerson], a lot of younger guys like Jordan Wilson and Charles Dawson filled in when it mattered.”

Perhaps the biggest surprise thus far in the season has been junior running back and defensive back Sam Miller. Miller causes opposing coaches headaches with his quick feet and shifty moves and crystal-clear vision while running with the football. His hard work has not gone unnoticed by teammates.

“The way Sam has played this season, especially against Faith, is impressive,” Napier said. “It was like we never lost anyone to injury.”

Aside from the Faith contest, another big win came against the Santa Clarita Christian Cardinals, last year’s CIF-SS champions and the team that knocked the Wildcats out of the playoffs last year. The Cardinals limped off the field in the third quarter down 48-0, after a mercy rule prevented the game from continuing.

The Wildcats boast 13 seniors this year, 10 of whom have played together since their freshman year. Both the offensive and defensive lines have been led by Captain Alex Papalian, a three-year starter. The offense has been led by another captain, Napier, and James “Jimmy” Ondaatje. Both Napier and Ondaatje have alternated plays at quarterback.
Despite the success the group has enjoyed in the early part of the season, Napier believes the season will be a “huge disappointment” if they don’t come home with a CIF championship banner.

“We want to be the first seniors to leave that mark on this school,” he said. “We want to do it for not just us but the seniors before us and the seniors before them.”