By Aaron Tandatnick ‘22

Ethan Vashel ‘21 scored both Hotchkiss touchdowns to give the varsity football team the most wins in a season since 2015 with a 14-3 victory over Williston on Oct. 26.

Vashel put on a clinic of passing and running, scoring a touchdown doing both. Vashel also threw for 116 yards and ran for 24. Captain Lucas Mastrodomenico ‘20 was the Bearcats rushing leader with 41 yards. 

The Bearcats (3-3) had a strong start to the game on offense, scoring on their first drive. After a 21-yard Vashel scramble, the Bearcats were in the red zone. Vashel connected with Johnny Tanner for a 16-yard touchdown in the corner of the end zone two plays later.

With 7:47 left in the second quarter, Williston responded to the Bearcat touchdown with a 22-yard field goal. Due to a failed onside kick, the Bearcats started their second scoring drive at the opposing 39-yard line. A 36-yard pass caught by James Corcoran ‘20 put the Bearcats inches behind the end zone. With 6:20 remaining in the half, Vashel ran for a touchdown on an option play to push the lead to 14-3.

Williston held possession for the majority of the second half. However, due to strong defensive performances from Ryan Sellew ‘21 and Michael Bright ‘20, Williston was unable to put any more points on the board.

To ensure a winning record, the Bearcats need to win both of their next two games, at Kent on Nov. 2 and against visiting Taft on Taft Day, Nov. 9.