The student news site of The Harker School.

Harker Aquila

The student news site of The Harker School.

Harker Aquila

The student news site of The Harker School.

Harker Aquila

Football team wins in home opener against San Jose High

Harker+defenders+tackle+a+San+Jose+High+School+player+at+the+football+game+on+Friday.+The+Eagles+defeated+the+San+Jose+Bulldogs+in+their+home+opener%2C+27-16.+

Brandon Zau

Harker defenders tackle a San Jose High School player at the football game on Friday. The Eagles defeated the San Jose Bulldogs in their home opener, 27-16.

The varsity football team dominated San Jose High School 27-16 in their first home game on Friday at 7:30 p.m., bringing their season record to 2-1. 

With this highly-anticipated first home game of the season, a large home crowd showed up at the game to support, with spectators decked out in green to represent school spirit. A group of Harker alumni, including former wide receiver Aaditya Gulati (‘22), came out to the game, cheering loudly in support of the new team.

“It was a really fun game especially because there were so many people there,” cornerback and wide receiver Tyler Beede (12) said. “It just brought a lot of energy to us, and we were somewhat nervous going into the game because they’re [the San Jose Bulldogs], probably one of the bigger teams we’re gonna play this year, but then I saw the crowd that was there and all the energy was there.”

The game started half an hour later than scheduled due to California’s heat wave, but the Eagles kicked off with a strong start. Despite the Eagles’ missed 4th down conversion, Ryan Barth (11) followed with a strong punt. After a failed drive by San Jose, a pass by quarterback Rohan Gorti (12) to wide receiver Zeke Weng (12) led to an early touchdown by Zeke, with eight minutes still left in the first quarter. After Ryan’s successful kick for the extra point, the Eagles led 7-0. 

The rest of the quarter continued well for the Eagles, with a completed pass from Rohan to wide receiver, defensive lineman and quarterback Bowen Xia (10), runs by defensive back and running back Dylan Parikh (12) and strong defense. With two minutes left in the quarter, offensive lineman and defensive lineman Kevin Bettencourt (11) intercepted a punt by San Jose, running for an Eagle touchdown. The Eagles followed with a two-point conversion by Rohan, bringing their lead to 15-0. 

“I think it is really exciting – Harker is playing really well,” Cynthia Wang (11) said. “Even though I only came in the second quarter, it’s amazing to see the score at 15-0.”

Harker continued their strong defense in the second quarter, with wide receiver and defensive back Daniel Lin (11) intercepting a pass from the Bulldogs, setting them up to extend their lead. Rohan threw a pass intended for linebacker, wide receiver and tight end Liam Jeffers (10), who completed it and ran for a touchdown, bringing the Eagle lead to a dominating 21-0. After a received kick from Ryan, the Bulldogs scored a touchdown with less than 25 seconds on the clock, followed by a two point conversion to bring the final halftime score to 21-8.

After a halftime performance by Harker’s cheer team, consisting of James Blenko (11), Sarah Westgate (11) and Kashish Priyam (10), the third quarter had a touchdown and two point conversion by the Bulldogs and a Harker touchdown by Dylan. Wide receiver and defensive backer Tej Aswani (10) brought down a long run by the Bulldogs right before a holding call by the refs on the Eagles. With four minutes left in the quarter, Liam intercepted the ball from the Bulldogs, ending the third quarter with Harker in a strong lead 27-8. 

During the final quarter, Rohan scrambled away from the Bulldogs’ defensive line for 30 yards. Other key plays included an interception by Tej and a 35 yard reception by wide receiver Rayan Arya (10). As the clock ticked away to end the fourth quarter, Harker soared to victory.

Tyler is looking forward to upcoming games, especially Homecoming, which will occur on Oct. 8, at 6 p.m. on Davis Field.

“I’m looking forward to coming out next game with the same energy and intensity, and Homecoming and senior night should be really fun,” Tyler said. “I’m excited for that.” 

The Eagles will go up against Burton High School this Friday on Davis Field.

Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly wrote that Bowen Xia (10) is a defensive lineman and quarterback, instead of defensive lineman and wide receiver. The article has been corrected on Sept. 18 to reflect those errors.

About the Contributors
Photo of Aishani Singh
Aishani Singh, Co-Multimedia Editor

Aishani Singh (11) is the co-multimedia editor for Harker Aquila, and this is her third year on staff. This year, Aishani wants to interview more members...

Photo of Sidak Sanghari
Sidak Sanghari, Humans of Harker Co-Managing Editor

Sidak Sanghari (11) is a co-managing editor for Humans of Harker, and this is her third year on staff. This year, she hopes to write many Humans of Harker...

Photo of Sally Zhu
Sally Zhu, Aquila Co-Editor-in-Chief

Sally Zhu (12) is the co-editor-in-chief of Harker Aquila, and this is her fourth year on staff. This year, Sally wishes to interview more people around...

Photo of Kinnera Mulam
Kinnera Mulam, Winged Post Co-Editor-in-Chief

Kinnera Mulam (12) is the co-editor-in-chief of the Winged Post, and this is her fourth year on staff. This year, Kinnera hopes to get to know all the...

Photo of Brandon Zau
Brandon Zau, Photo Editor

Brandon Zau (12) is the photo editor for Harker Aquila, and this is his fourth year on staff. This year, Brandon hopes to celebrate his senior Class of...

Navigate Left
  • The Harker football team runs through the banner onto Davis Field for the 2023 Homecoming Football Game. The game took place on Saturday at the end of Harker Day.

    Fall Sports

    Live coverage: Harker faces Crystal Springs Uplands for Homecoming game

  • Running back Jackson Powell (10) powers through a Turlock Christian defender in the first quarter. Jackson ran for 62 yards against Turlock Christian, scoring 2 touchdowns.

    Fall Sports

    Back with a bang: Varsity football dominates Turlock Christian 62-14 in home opener

  • Rohan Gorti (12) rushes past a defender at the varsity football teams Homecoming Game on Saturday. Rohan ran the ball from the left sideline to score the Eagles first touchdown of the night.

    Football

    Live coverage: Harker football faces Delta Charter for Homecoming game

  • Harker stands at the line of scrimmage before the start of a play. The upper school football team defeated Burton High School with a score of 58-0 on Friday at Davis Field.

    Football

    Eagles defeat Burton High 58-0 in ‘blackout’ home game

  • Abby Lim (10) raises an arm to block Kyra Hawk (12) in a passing drill. Girls water polo practiced on the morning of Aug. 13, one of two Saturday practices.

    Boys Water Polo

    Fall sports kick off preseason in early August

  • Jimmy Garoppolo throws it away, setting up a Rams vs. Bengals Super Bowl

    Aquila Audible

    Jimmy Garoppolo throws it away, setting up a Rams vs. Bengals Super Bowl

  • Quarterback Rohan Gorti (11) speaks with Coach Sidhart Krishnamurthi on the sideline during the varsity football team’s match against Crystal Springs last year. “Sid brings passion, organization, and energy to the program,” upper school athletics director Dan Molin said. “The students are picking up their respect for his passion and the seriousness of the sport, and hes bringing good positive energy.”

    Aquila Audible

    From Harker athlete to football head coach: A decade later, alumnus returns to lead from the sidelines

  • Sports slideshow: Nov. 4

    Boys Water Polo

    Sports slideshow: Nov. 4

  • Dylan Parikh (11) rushes during the varsity football teams match against the California School for the Deaf this past Thursday, Oct. 21.

    Boys Water Polo

    Weekly Previews: Oct. 25-29

  • Anishka Raina (12) swings at the tennis ball during the varsity girls tennis teams win over Notre Dame Belmont.

    Boys Water Polo

    Weekly Previews: Oct. 18-22

Navigate Right

Comments (0)

All Harker Aquila Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *