![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
Football team wins shootout against Crystal Springs Uplands 54-46
Rohan Gorti (11) and Om Tandon (10) clap to celebrate a Harker victory as they walk off the field, while the game clock winds down behind them. The Eagles won 54-46.
September 25, 2021
The varsity football team defeated Crystal Springs Uplands 54-46 at home on Thursday night to bring their season record to an even 2-2. The game was held in an 8 vs. 8 format since Crystal Springs did not have enough players to play the traditional 11 vs. 11 format.
Quarterback Rohan Gorti (11) put the Eagles on the board first late in the first quarter with a touchdown pass to wide receiver Aaditya Gulati (12). Rohan scrambled to his right, evaded a pass rusher and threw it across his body to Aaditya, who carried the ball into the endzone.
“Maddux [Carlisle (12)] and I ran the same route [on that play], and we actually hit each other [at midfield],” Aaditya said. “But I kept running, and Rohan threw me the ball, and I caught it and ran for 40 yards. The moment I crossed the touchdown line, I was screaming and my team, they were all running [towards] me, and I just felt like I was on top of the world.”
Crystal Springs responded with a touchdown of their own, tying the score at 6-6 by the end of the first quarter. But the second quarter was all Eagles. The defense shutout Crystal Springs, with interceptions by cornerbacks Adheet Ganesh (12) and Bowen Xia (9). Meanwhile, the offense put on a display of their own, with rushing touchdowns scored by Rohan, John Zeng (12) and Dylan Parikh (11). By the half, the Eagles had established a dominating 30-6 lead.
“At half-time, the defense made a couple adjustments to fix their scheme, and [the offense] made a couple changes too,” Rohan said. “We were down a couple receivers, so we had to adjust a little bit. Lots of freshmen got reps in the second half, since we were up 24 points.”
Aside from a Crystal Springs touchdown, the third quarter was relatively uneventful. But the fourth quarter was the complete opposite of that—an intense back-and-forth 15 minute period during which the two teams combined for 58 points. The mindset of the Eagles in this final period, according to Rohan, was to “chew the clock.”
“On offense, the name of the game was to chew the clock—take off as much time as possible—so we could go home with the win. There were many plays where I would walk to huddle and then take my sweet time before snapping the ball,” Rohan said.
The Eagles defense began to tire during the fourth quarter, and Crystal Springs put up points at a rapid pace. The Eagles offense remained even-keeled, putting together three touchdown drives of their own to secure a 54-46 victory in nail-biting fashion.
Dylan, who plays running-back, scored a Harker record-setting four touchdowns during the game. Despite his own successes, he recalls John’s 59-yard-rush during the second quarter as his favorite play of the game, especially since John typically plays on the offensive and defensive line. Ultimately, Dylan credits his teammates for putting him and the other running-backs in a position to succeed.
“It was a lot of fun, but I couldn’t do it without my team,” Dylan said. “Every play, they worked hard, and our teamwork led to the end result and the success we had.”
Before this game, the Eagles had tough back to back losses to Lynbrook and Valley Christian.
“The motivation from those losses really pushed us through our game against Crystal Springs,” Aaditya said. “We used all of that motivation, that built-up anger, and really fought hard to win, and I think that showed on the field.”
The Eagles will face off next against Priory this Friday at 3:30 p.m. They look to notch another win before they return home to play Marina High School on Oct. 9 for the annual Homecoming Game.
Additional reporting by Alysa Suleiman.
