![Setter Emma Lee (9) sets the ball to the middle during the match against Pinewood on Sept. 12. “[I’m looking forward to] getting more skilled, learning more about my position and also becoming better friends with all of my teammates, Emma said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/DSC_4917-2-1200x795.jpg)
![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasnt been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but Ive had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. Theres so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesnt exist, you can build it yourself, Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“Animation just clicked in a way. I had been interested in art, but that felt different. [Animation] felt like it had something behind it, whereas previous things felt surface level. I wasnt making that crazy of things, but just the process of doing it was much more enjoyable, Carter Chadwick (22) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-16-at-9.44.08-AM-900x598.png)
![“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 its played such a major role in who Ive 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 Im [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)
![“[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)
![“Im 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 theres a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyones 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)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you arent going to get those championships if you arent 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)
![“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)
All content in this coverage was reported within the duration of the Homecoming game on Davis Field on Oct. 7, 2023.
Final Score — Eagles 30, Gryphons 52
9:51 p.m. The Gryphons’ quarterback takes a knee to end the game.
9:50 p.m. A Gryphon picks Jack’s pass and is brought down at the 8-yard line, where the Gryphons take over.
9:47 p.m. A pass intended for Ryan is broken up by a Gryphon for 2nd and 10. Two incomplete passes bring the Eagles to 4th and 10.
9:46 p.m. Ryan catches Jack’s pass at the 16-yard line for another Eagles first down.
9:45 p.m. Jack carries the ball to the 24-yard line for an Eagles 2nd and 1. Jack’s touchdown pass to Ryan is incomplete.
9:43 p.m. The Gryphons receive an offside penalty after the Eagles’ kickoff. Gabe Sachse (11) recovers the offside kick from the 35-yard line to give the Eagles possession.
9:39 p.m. A Gryphon breaks up the pass intended for Daniel for a 3rd and 10. The Eagles take their first timeout of the second half.
9:38 p.m. Jack’s pass intended for Rayan is incomplete for a 2nd down and 10.
9:37 p.m. The Eagles get a first down at the 34-yard line after Jack passes to Ryan. Jackson reaches the 27-yard line on the second down play. The Gryphons receive a face-mask penalty, moving the Eagles’ ball to the 18-yard line. The Eagles get the first down.
9:34 p.m. The Gryphons’ kick lands out of bounds, placing Harker at their 30-yard line.
9:32 p.m. Kevin takes down the Crystal Spring quarterback, and Harker receives two points due to intentional grounding. 52-22 Gryphons.
9:31 p.m. The Gryphons run into the end zone but receive a holding penalty They play from the 6 yard line for a 3rd and 12.
9:30 p.m. The Gryphons’ quarterback is hit while he releases the ball and the pass lands incomplete for a 3rd and 8.
9:26 p.m. Oli tackles a Gryphon for a 2-yard gain, bringing Crystal Springs to 2nd and 8.
9:24 p.m. Rayan nearly catches a tipped ball for a touchdown, but he drops the ball for a turnover on downs.
9:19 p.m. An offside penalty is called again Crystal Springs, giving Harker another first down. Vedant catches Jack’s pass for a 5-yard gain and 4th and 5.
9:18 p.m. Jack runs with the ball but doesn’t gain any yards for the Eagles. His touchdown pass is dropped, leading to 3rd and 10.
9:16 p.m. Jack keeps the ball and runs for a loss of 4 yards. He completes a pass to Ryan for a 42-yard gain to reach the 1st down.
9:14 p.m. Vedant Yadav (11) catches a pass for an Eagles first down.
9:11 p.m. The Gryphons score a touchdown. The two-point conversion is no good. 20-52 Gryphons.
9:08 p.m. Ryan catches a Gryphon pass to end the third quarter, but it is ruled out of the end zone and incomplete. This stirs up students in the stands who disagree with the call.
9:03 p.m. Jack is now playing quarterback. A Gryphon sacks him on the second down play, resulting in a 7 yard loss and 3rd down and 17 at the 8 yard line. An incomplete pass leads to 4th down and 17, and Rayan takes over again.
9:01 p.m. The Gryphons score a touchdown. The two-point conversion is no good. 20-46 Gryphons.
8:57 p.m. The Gryphons take over at the 9-yard line after taking down Rayan. Jerry is injured again on the first down play.
8:56 p.m. The Eagles lose 7 yards for a 2nd and 17 after being tackled behind the line of scrimmage.
8:55 p.m. Jackson runs for another Eagles first down.
8:54 p.m. Rayan’s pass is nearly intercepted by a Gryphon. The Eagles retain possession and continue with a 2nd and 10.
8:51 p.m. Kevin blocks the Gryphons from scoring, resulting in a 4th down and goal. Kevin then blocks the touchdown attempt, meaning the Eagles take over at the 3-yard line.
8:49 p.m. Crystal Springs receives a penalty for a neutral zone infraction. Oli breaks up a pass to bring the Gryphons to 2nd and 10.
8:46 p.m. Two Gryphon passes are incomplete, 4th and 4 at the 34 yard line. The Gryphons get a 1st down at the 23 yard-line after picking up 11 yards.
8:41 p.m. Rayan’s complete pass brings the Eagles to 4th and 1 at the 24-yard line. Jackson gets the first down but receives a flag.
8:39 p.m. Eagles 3rd and 10 at the 15 yard line after a block and incomplete pass. A false start results in 3rd and 15 from the 10 yard line.
8:36 p.m. The Gryphons rush into the end zone for a touchdown. Daniel is injured on the play. The 2-point conversion attempt goes out of bounds, stopped by Ryan. 20-40 Gryphons.
8:34 p.m. The Gryphons’ 28-yard pass is complete for a first down at the 32-yard line.
8:32 p.m. The Gryphon’s pass is incomplete, leading to a 2nd and 10. Kevin tackles a Gryphon behind the line of scrimmage, leading to 3rd and 15.
8:30 p.m. The Eagles kickoff to start the second half. Ryan’s kick is caught by a Gryphon who returns it to the 25-yard line with a 21-yard return.
8:20 p.m. Senior class dean Carol Green crowns Daniel and Cynthia as this year’s Homecoming Royalty.
8:17 p.m. The Homecoming Court enters the field to “Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus. This year’s representatives are frosh Nicole Dean and Pascal Qin; sophomores Suhana Bhandare and Timothy Deng; juniors Claire Anderson and Leo Sobczyn and seniors Harshini Chaturvedula, Ramit Goyal, Daniel Lin, Claire Miao, Dhruv Trivedi and Cynthia Wang. “This is definitely one of the best memories of senior year so far,” senior Homecoming Court representative Ramit Goyal said. “This is one of the inaugural events of the year and the energy and environment is great.”
8:15 p.m. Harker Dance Company takes to the stage to perform an upbeat routine to “Comin in Hotta” by Halo Sol.
8:13 p.m. Despite the seniors’ strong start, the juniors defeat the seniors in 48 seconds to win the tug-of-war competition. The juniors are currently in first place in spirit point standings. “It’s exciting,” tug-of-war competitor Kylie Anderson (11) said. “It was really fun. We got a little behind in the beginning but we leaned our body weight back and it worked. It was awesome. Two years in a row!”
8:10 p.m. The Classes of 2024 and 2025 charge onto the field, representing their teams in black and white, respectively. They prepare to tug to determine this year’s tug-of-war winners.
8:09 p.m. The upper school cheer team performs to start halftime.
SCORE AT HALFTIME: Eagles 20, Gryphons 34
8:06 p.m. The first half ends with Rayan’s pass to Daniel broken up. “They played hard, they played disciplined,” eighth grade history teacher Ramsay Westgate said. “It’s hard to stick with something when your numbers are smaller than you plan but I give them a lot of credit for being willing to stick with the team. The team camaraderie is fantastic.”
8:04 p.m. The Gryphons receive an offside penalty, moving the Eagles forward 9 yards and a first down. Rayan’s pass to Daniel is nearly intercepted. 2nd and 10 at the 31-yard line.
8:04 p.m. Ryan is tackled for a gain of 4 with 30 seconds left in the half.
8:01 p.m. Harker receives a holding penalty and the Gryphons receive a face-mask penalty. The two offset each other.
8:00 p.m. Harker gets the ball back at the 50 yard line after a touchback.
7:59 p.m. Another Gryphon pass falls incomplete for a 3rd and 10. Daniel tackles a Gryphon for the 4th down and 10.
7:58 p.m. The Gryphons’ pass is long, leading to a 2nd and 10.
7:57 p.m. Ryan’s kick lands in the end zone for a touchback, putting the Gryphons at their 15 yard line.
7:56 p.m. Rayan’s pass is short, resulting in another incomplete for a 3rd and 10.
7:55 p.m. A pass by Rayan to Daniel falls incomplete for a 2nd and 10.
7:54 p.m. An attempted onside kick lands out of bounds, putting the Eagles at the 50 yard line.
7:52 p.m. The Gryphons score a touchdown. The two-point conversion is good after a complete pass. 20-34 Gryphons.
7:51 p.m. A five yard penalty by the Eagles takes it to the 8 yard line.
7:48 p.m. The Gryphons attempt to score a touchdown but the ball Jackson breaks up the pass. 4th and 6 from the 13-yard line. The Gryphons call their second timeout.
7:45 p.m. The Gryphons return Ryan’s kick to Harker’s 28 yard line.
7:44 p.m. Jerry takes the ball into the end zone for the two-point conversion. This marked the first successful conversion for the Eagles. 20-26 Gryphons.
7:43 p.m. Jackson scores a touchdown to cap off a 65-yard drive by the Eagles. Jack is tackled just short of the goal line after catching Rayan’s pass.
7:40 p.m. Jackson takes a handoff from Rayan to advance 7 yards for a 2nd and 3.
7:39 p.m. Harker uses their last timeout of the half.
7:37 p.m. Rayan holds onto the ball and runs for an Eagles first down after a gain of 17 yards. Timeout Eagles.
7:35 p.m. After an incomplete pass on the 2nd down, Jackson rushes for a 16 yard gain. 1st and 10 at the 30-yard line.
7:32 p.m. Rayan’s pass is intercepted by a Gryphon who rushes into the end zone for a touchdown. The two-point conversion is no good. 12-26 Gryphons.
7:29 p.m. The Gryphons rush 32 yards for a touchdown. The two-point conversion is no good. 12-20 Gryphons.
7:26 p.m. The crowd sings nursery rhymes during the Eagles’ timeout.
7:25 p.m. Ryan’s kick lands out of bounds. This places the Gryphons at the 42 yard line. Kevin returns to the field after an injury break.
7:24 p.m. Rayan’s pass to Ryan is incomplete. 4th and 5 on the 20 yard line. The Eagles opt to kickoff.
7:23 p.m. Quarterback Rayan takes off with the ball but is taken down before making any forward progress.
7:22 p.m. Jackson runs for a 5 yard gain.
7:20 p.m. Daniel stifles the Gryphons’ attempted two-point conversion.
7:18 p.m. The Gryphons rush into the end zone for a touchdown. Running back and defensive lineman Jerry Li injures his knee on the play. The crowd chants “Love you Jerry” and applauds as he walks off the field. 12-14 Gryphons.
7:16 p.m. The Gryphons’ pass is dropped, resulting in 2nd and 10.
7:15 p.m. A running play from the Gryphons results in a gain of 3 yards for another 1st down.
7:14 p.m. The Gryphons’ pass is incomplete and nearly falls for an Eagles interception.
7:13 p.m. The teams switch sides to begin the 2nd quarter.
7:12 p.m. This year’s jazz band seniors are Isha Kotalwar, Ashwin Kuppahally, Miki Mitarai, Masha Velihovskaya and Jack Yang.
7:11 p.m. The Gryphons complete a 10-yard pass. 1st and 10 from the 20-yard line to end the first quarter.
7:10 p.m. Oli Roman (11) tackles a Gryphon at the 30-yard line. 2nd and 9.
7:09 p.m. The Gryphons complete a 31-yard pass. 1st and 10 from the 31-yard line.
7:08 p.m. Kevin tackles a Gryphon. 3rd and 8 at the 17-yard line. The Gryphons call a timeout.
7:06 p.m. Jackson tackles a Gryphon at the 19-yard line. 2nd and 7.
7:05 p.m. Ryan kicks off the ball into the end zone.
7:01 p.m. On the 4th down, Daniel, playing wide receiver, catches Rayan’s pass and runs into the end zone for an Eagles touchdown. Rayan’s pass to Jack for the two-point conversion is incomplete. 12-8 Eagles.
7 p.m. Injury timeout for the Gryphons.
6:59 p.m. Rayan completes a pass to Jack for a four yard gain. 3rd and 6 from 39. Rayan’s pass to Jack on the first down is incomplete. 2nd and 10 from 35.
6:58 p.m. Jackson rushes 20 yards for an Eagles first down. The crowd chants, “He’s a freshman.”
6:57 p.m. The Gryphons kickoff the ball into the end zone for a touchback.
6:55 p.m. The Gryphons’ QB throws a 27-yard pass for a touchdown, and the two-point conversion gives the Gryphons the 6-8 lead.
6:54 p.m. The Gryphons rush for a 1st and 10 at the 27-yard line.
6:52 p.m. Kevin tackles a Gryphons player but a penalty is called on the play. 1st and 10 from the 37-yard line.
6:51 p.m. Ryan kicks off the ball into the end zone. The Gryphons will start at the 15-yard line.
6:50 p.m. Daniel drops a handoff from Rayan on the attempt for a two-point conversion, resulting in possession switching to Crystal Springs.
6:49 p.m. Rayan passes to Daniel for a touchdown. 6-0 Eagles.
6:48 p.m. Daniel catches a pass for a 2 yard gain. The pass defense stopped him after he made the reception.
6:46 p.m. Another penalty against the Gryphons. First down for the Eagles at the 14-yard line.
6:44 p.m. The Eagles gain a first down at the 20-yard line after the Gryphons receive a flag for a neutral zone infraction.
6:43 p.m. 4th and 2 from the 30-yard line. Rayan passes for a gain of 1 yard.
6:42 p.m. 7 yard gain after running back Jackson breaks multiple tackles.
6:40 p.m. The Eagles take a timeout.
6:39 p.m. Jackson Powell (10) rushes down the left sideline for a first down at the 50 yard line.
6:38 p.m. Quarterback Rayan Arya’s (11) pass is completed to Daniel for a 5 yard gain. 2nd and 5 from the 13 yard line.
6:35 p.m. The Crystal Springs Gryphons opt to kickoff. The Eagles rush to the 8 yard line. 1st and 10 from the 8 yard line.
6:32 p.m. Members of the Harker All-School Choir sing the Harker anthem and the national anthem. Upper school vocal music teacher Jennifer Sandusky conducts the choir.
6:30 p.m. This year’s Athletic Hall of Fame inductees Vivian Wang ’18, Rebecca (Chang) Kaloudis ’03, Chris McCallaCreary ’11 and Ryan Cali ’10 walk onto the field. Inductee Joelle Anderson ‘17 could not attend the ceremony.
6:20 p.m. Head of School Brian Yager addresses the crowd. The varsity football team runs onto the field ten minutes before kickoff.
6:13 p.m. The crowd honors six football seniors and their families: team manager Daphne Avkarogullari, Ryan Barth, Kevin Bettencourt, Jack Ledford, Jerry Li and Daniel Lin. This game is the last one the seniors will play at Davis Field. “I think senior night is important because they each put a lot of time into the sport that they love,” attendee Om Tandon (12) said. “There are a lot of things that we as fans can’t see.”
6:11 p.m. The Eaglets, consisting of five students across fourth and fifth grade, perform to “Fly Like An Eagle” by the Steve Miller Band.
6:03 p.m. The lower school cheer squad performs a chant and dances to “Dance Forever” by Allstar Weekend.
6:02 p.m. The sophomores claimed third place in tug-of-war after defeating the frosh. The juniors and seniors will compete for the tug-of-war championship at halftime. “I think our unity and cheering helped us win,” tug-of-war competitor Brady Tse (10) said. “The cheering was definitely useful as it helped us pull in unity, which despite having much less people, we were able to pull as a team.”
The varsity football team will play Crystal Springs Uplands School today on Davis Field at 6:30 p.m. for this year’s Homecoming game.
Mark Murray • Oct 11, 2023 at 2:27 pm
Great job on the coverage this year! Congratulations to the entire staff.