![“[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)
All content in this coverage was reported within the duration of the Homecoming game on Davis Field on Oct. 5, 2024.
Final score — Eagles 35, Hawks 0
8:30 p.m. “The whole team executed, we made strong plays and the defense was electric,” Pedro said. “It was an intense game. They were a physical team, and we really had to combat that.”
8:26 p.m. The Eagles take a knee and run down the clock to end the game. The final score is 35-0, with the Eagles for the win.
8:24 p.m. Anzar takes their first timeout of the second half.
8:23 p.m. Rayan is tackled by an Anzar player for no gain on the play.
8:22 p.m. Pedro runs the ball for a 27 yard gain before being stopped by an Anzar defender, picking up a first down at the 23 yard line.
8:21 p.m. “You can really see the dynamics of the team, you can see how they’re protecting each other,” Siddharth’s mother Nandini Sundaram said. “The communication and teamwork has improved between the players.”
8:20 p.m. Ricardo again carries the ball, and he is brought down for an 8 yard gain.
8:19 p.m. An Anzar player tackles Ricardo Sanchez who carries the ball for a gain of 2 yards but falls short of the 1st down.
8:18 p.m. A Hawk defender tackles Pedro, who makes a gain of 4 yards.
8:17 p.m. Jackson runs the ball down for no gain but is stopped at the 6-yard line for the second down.
8:16 p.m. Harker takes their first timeout of the second half.
8:15 p.m. The Hawks go for the 4th down but fall short for the first down. The Eagles will take over at the 6 yard line.
8:13 p.m. The Hawks run the ball again for a gain of 5 yards but fall short at the 9 yard line. Oli goes down with another injury.
8:12 p.m. Anzar runs the ball for a gain of 2 yards before being taken down by Henry Fradin. The Hawks pick up 3rd and 13.
8:11 p.m. The fourth quarter begins with Anzar running the ball for a gain of 5 yards before being taken down by Marloe and Pedro.
8:10 p.m. The third quarter ends with the Eagles in the lead by 35 points.
8:08 p.m. Injured Eagle Shivraj comes off the field. Anzar takes the ball into the end zone but there is a holding penalty called against the Hawks. The Hawks move back to the 21 yard line for 1st and 20.
8:04 p.m. Anzar runs the ball for a 37 yard gain to the 11 yard line before being tackled by Rayan. 1st and goal for the Hawks. Another Eagle is down with an injury.
8:03 p.m. The Anzar player runs the ball for a gain of 8 yards before being tackled by frosh linebacker and lineman Marloe Sanchez-Taporco. The Hawks pick up 2nd and 2.
8:01 p.m. Another timeout is called for injured Eagle Arav.
8:00 p.m. The Anzar player is tackled by Jackson at the 16 yard line for a gain of 5 yards.
7:59 p.m. Another injury timeout is called for Oli.
7:58 p.m. Jackson kicks off to Anzar, and the returner misses catching the ball. After recovering it, he runs it to the 11 yard line before being tackled by Jackson.
7:57 p.m. Jackson successfully runs the ball for the one point conversion.
7:56 p.m. Rayan runs the ball 13 yards for a touchdown. The current score is 34–0.
7:55 p.m. Jackson is hit behind the line by two Hawk defenders, resulting in no gain on the play.
7:54 p.m. Pedro runs the ball for a gain of 6 yards to the 13-yard line but gets injured in the play. The Eagles pick up 2nd and 4.
7:53 p.m. Rayan runs out of bounds, and another injury timeout is called for him. He gets up and jogs to the Harker side.
7:52 p.m The Eagles and Hawks return to the field for the next play.
7:51 p.m. Jackson runs the ball for a gain of 8 yards on the play. Another injury timeout is called for an Anzar player.
7:50 p.m. The Hawks go for 4th down but fall short of the 1st down marker. The Eagles will take over at the 33-yard line.
7:49 p.m. Pedro tackles an Anzar player at the 31 yard line for a gain of 4 yards. 4th and 3 for the Hawks.
7:48 p.m. “We can keep the lead,” audience member Serena Peng (11) said. “We are doing very well, especially Jackson and Pedro. There were very few turnovers.”
7:47 p.m. Anzar player is stopped by Oli at the 28-yard line.
7:46 p.m. An injury timeout is called after Jackson goes down.
7:45 p.m. Eagle defenders Jackson and Shivraj take down an Anzar offensive player at the 27-yard line.
7:44 p.m. Jackson kicks off once again to Anzar. They successfully receive the kick but fall at the 25-yard line.
7:43 p.m. Harker proceeds with a successful two-point conversion run by Pedro. The score is 28-0.
7:42 p.m. Jackson takes the ball around for a touchdown, bringing the score to 26–0 with the Eagles in the lead.
7:41 p.m. Anzar defenders tackle Pedro. There is a penalty called on the play.
7:40 p.m. Cheer rallies the crowd, screaming “Offense Eagles, offense! Move the ball, let’s go!”
7:39 p.m. Rayan runs the ball out of bounds at the 18-yard line for a gain of nine yards. The Eagles pick up 3rd and 1.
7:38 p.m. A Hawk player is injured on the field after the play. The referee signals for an injury timeout.
7:37 p.m. Jackson is hit by a host of Hawk defenders, resulting in no gain on the play.
7:36 p.m. Rayan runs out of bounds at the 27-yard line for a gain of seven yards. It is 1st and 10 for the Eagles.
7:35 p.m. Jackson carries the ball to the 34-yard line before being stopped by Hawk defenders.
7:34 p.m. Harker kicks onside and Oli recovers the ball, taking possession at Anzar’s 39-yard line.
7:33 p.m Jackson opens the second half with a kick to the Hawks. Cheer encourages everyone to stand up in support of the Eagles.
7:29 p.m. Tonev gives a pep talk to Siddharth and defensive and offensive lineman Henry Fradin (11) as the team huddles before the start of the second half.
7:26 p.m. “Walking on the field was a really nice moment,” Shreyas said. “When we all did the heart it was wonderful. It felt like our community was really brought together.”
7:24 p.m. As the senior homecoming representatives join the rest, Yager shakes hands with each student.
7:22 p.m. The homecoming class representatives walk onto the field with their class deans to “Party in the U.S.A.” by Miley Cyrus. This year’s representatives are frosh Aditya Guru and Amber Wang; sophomores Cameron Rampell and Nicole Dean; juniors Charlotte Ludlow and Timothy Deng; and seniors Alicia Ran, Daniel Chen, Sam Parupudi and Shreyas Chakravarty. Representatives were chosen by the student body based on Harker’s values of kindness, respect, personal accountability and integrity.
7:21 p.m. The class of 2025 takes the win in the tug-of-war championship after pulling for 37 seconds.
7:20 p.m. Cheers from the crowd erupt as the tug-of-war participants prepare to face off.
7:18 p.m. HDC exits as the tug-of-war participants storm onto the field for the tug of war championship, with the juniors on the left and the seniors to the right.
7:15 p.m. Harker Dance Company takes the field to perform an upbeat routine to a remix of “yes, and?” by Ariana Grande.
7:13 p.m. “They’ve got two touchdowns and a very strong defense,” Ravi Panja, father of offensive lineman and defensive tackle Shivraj, said. “I’m really glad to be out here. The team has been great, they’re a small team but they have great teamwork, absolutely proud of them.”
7:12 p.m. Varsity cheer runs onto the field. In their performance, they execute stunts to a mix of Pitbull songs.
7:11 p.m. The Eagles lead at the end of the first half with a score at 20–0.
7:09 p.m. The Hawks run the ball for a 3-yard gain. A flag is thrown on the play for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty by the Eagles.
7:08 p.m. Anzar is stopped with one second left on the clock after a 7-yard gain for first down.
7:06 p.m. The Hawks are pushed back to the 11-yard line from the penalty.
7:05 p.m. Jackson punts for the Eagles, and the Hawks run the ball to the 22-yard line. A late flag is thrown on the play for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty by the Hawks.
7:04 p.m. Rayan’s two-point conversion is successful. The score is 20-0 with one minute left before halftime.
7:03 p.m. Harker calls their second timeout in the final minute of the second quarter.
7:02 p.m. Rayan’s pass is complete to wide receiver Arav Vuppala, who runs 17 yards to score a touchdown for the Eagles. The score is 18-0.
7:01 p.m. Jackson carries the ball for a gain of seven yards. Rayan’s pass intended for Vedant is incomplete. The Eagles will try for 3rd and 3.
7:00 p.m. Rayan’s pass to Vedant falls incomplete. The Eagles remain at the 30-yard line for 3rd and 10. Pedro carries the ball for a 10-yard gain for a 1st down.
6:58 p.m. A Hawk takes down Jackson as a penalty is thrown on the Eagles for an illegal formation. The ball is moved back five yards for a 2nd and 10.
6:57 p.m. Jackson carries the ball for a gain of five yards on the play. The Eagles will continue at the 30-yard line for second down.
6:56 p.m. Anzar is stopped on the 4th down by Shivraj just short of the first down. The Eagles take over at the Hawk’s 35-yard line.
6:55 p.m. Center Siddarth Sundar (11) and Pedro bring down a Hawk at the 30-yard line.
6:54 p.m. Offensive lineman and inside linebacker Oli Roman (12) tackles an Anzar player at their own 31-yard line, keeping the Eagles’ defense strong. Varsity cheerleaders encourage players to “hold that line.”
6:53 p.m. The Hawks pass the ball for a 1-yard gain on the play for a 2nd and 9.
six minutes left in the second quarter, the Eagles double their lead with a second touchdown by running back Jackson. (Jonathan Szeto)
6:52 p.m. Jackson kicks off to Anzar to the 20-yard line. The Hawks successfully receive the ball and return the ball to the 26-yard line before being stopped by Harker defenders.
6:50 p.m. Eagles fail to complete the conversion for the second time. The score remains 12-0.
6:49 p.m. Eagles attempt a 2-point conversion, but the pass to Jackson falls incomplete. A “roughing the passer” penalty is called on the Hawks, and the Eagles retry the conversion.
6:48 p.m. Jackson runs the football 11 yards for a touchdown. Eagles lead 12-0.
6:47 p.m. Class of 2025 and 2026 tug-of-war participants start walking to the field for their halftime showdown.
6:46 p.m. The Hawks take down Rayan behind the line of scrimmage to a loss of 6 yards on the play. The Eagles are 3rd and Goal from the 11-yard line and call a timeout.
6:43 p.m. Eagles reach the 4-yard line. Pedro is stopped after a loss of 1 yard on the play.
6:42 p.m. Pedro rushes for a five-yard gain. Eagles start at the 17-yard line, with a 2nd and 5 coming up.
6:41 p.m. Jackson carries the ball for a 12-yard gain and first down. The Eagles are almost in the red zone.
6:40 p.m. “It’s been kind of back and forth,” math teacher David Goulette said. “We’re having a bit of trouble moving the ball, but our defense looks great. They really shut down the other team’s offense.”
6:39 p.m. Rayan runs the ball to the 41-yard line before being forced out of bounds by the Hawks.
6:38 p.m. The Hawks decline the penalty on the Eagles and gain four yards on their play.
6:37 p.m. Hawk player tackles Rayan on a keeper at the 35-yard line.
6:35 p.m. For the first play of the second quarter, Rayan hands the ball to Jackson, who runs the ball. The referee calls a holding penalty against the Eagles, moving them to 1st and 20.
6:34 p.m. Announcer Mike Delfino shouts out senior pep band members during the interval between the first and second quarters.
6:33 p.m. Harker cheerleaders perform the color shout, rallying the crowd as the first quarter concludes. The Eagles lead 6-0.
6:32 p.m. Jackson catches the punt from the 21-yard line and runs it up to the 30-yard line before multiple Hawks bring him down.
6:31 p.m. Anzar runs a quarterback keeper again, but is stopped in the backfield by Inside linebacker and lineman Marloe Sanchez-Taporco (9). 4th and 28 now for the Hawks, with the visiting team back to punt.
6:30 p.m. Anzar’s quarterback keeps the football and is hit by offensive lineman and defensive tackle Shivraj Panja (12), who helps keep the Hawks back at a long 3rd and 24.
6:29 p.m. Anzar runs out of a tight formation but fumbles on the handoff. The Hawks recover, making it a small loss to bring them to 2nd and 25.
6:28 p.m. Anzar player’s run goes nowhere, hit by multiple Eagles. Yet another penalty on the play is called for an illegal motion against the Hawks. The ball is brought back to the 28-yard line.
6:27 p.m. A flag is thrown before the play — a delay of game on Anzar. The Hawks will back up five yards to their own 33-yard line.
6:26 p.m. For their second attempt of a fourth down, Jackson runs for ten yards before going out of bounds shy of the down marker. Anzar will take over just inside their own 50-yard line.
6:25 p.m On the fourth down, Rayan completes a pass to Jackson for a first down, but a flag is thrown. A holding penalty is called on the Eagles, backing them up to 4th and 18 deep in their own territory.
6:24 p.m. Jackson runs for a 15-yard gain, bringing the Eagles to 4th and 13.
6:23 p.m. Jackson runs for 1 yard. Eagles now face a 28-yard conversion on third down.
6:22 p.m. Rayan takes another keeper for 19 yards and a near first down before running out of bounds. The Harker offensive line garners another penalty, backing up ten more yards on the holding.
6:21 p.m. Rayan takes a keeper for a short gain. Eagles gain 1 yard.
6:20 p.m. Jackson gets the handoff on a jet sweep motion and breaks a tackle before coming down just shy of the first down. The play comes back due to a holding penalty on the Eagles.
6:19 p.m. Rayan passes the ball to Pedro, who runs the ball 16 yards to the 50-yard line.
6:18 p.m. Anzar punts the ball 70 yards to the 15-yard line. Pedro picks up the return for Eagles’ and goes down at the 21-yard line.
6:17 p.m. A wall of Eagles stops Anzar on third down after a completed pass. The Hawks lose two on the play, and it is now 4th and 8 from the visiting team’s 5-yard line.
6:15 p.m. Pedro tackles an Anzar player, resulting in no gain for the Hawks. Harker currently holds a lead over Anzar, with a score of 6-0.
6:13 p.m. An Anzar player intercepts Rayan’s pass in the end zone, and wide receiver Vedant drags him out of bounds. Vedant is called for offensive pass interference, and the play stands.
6:12 p.m. The Anzar quarterback fumbles, and Jackson recovers the ball for an Eagle turnover.
6:11 p.m. Anzar receives a penalty flag for an illegal formation.
6:10 p.m. Jackson punts for Harker, and wide receiver Will Hou (9) stops the Hawks’ returner at the Hawks’ 35-yard line.
6:08 p.m. Harker goes for a one point conversion, but running back Pedro is stopped 10 yards away from the endzone. The score remains 6-0.
6:07 p.m Quarterback Rayan runs 57 yards for a touchdown, evading multiple tackle attempts.
6:06 p.m. Jackson rushes for a gain of five yards, resulting in an Eagles 2nd and 5.
6:05 p.m. Harker receives the opening kick-off and running back Jackson rushes to the Harker 18-yard line for a 1st and 10. The cheer team performs a routine, chanting, “Everybody up for the kick-off.”
6:03 p.m. The all-school choir, conducted by Susan Nace, performs acapella versions of the Harker School Song and national anthem. Football players and audience members stand, holding their hands to their hearts.
5:58 p.m. The Eagles win the coin toss and will receive the ball to begin the game.
5:55 p.m. Harker 2024 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees join Athletic Director Dan Molin and football captains Rayan and Jackson Powell (11) on the field.
5:48 p.m. The varsity football team led by seniors Rayan Arya and Vedant Yadav and sophomore Pedro Castro III rips through the “Go Harker” banner as they run onto the field amidst cheers from the audience.
5:46 p.m. Head of School Brian Yager thanks various members of the school community for their commitment to Harker Day and the Homecoming Game. “It’s now my pleasure to direct our attention to the gauntlet of spirit and welcome the Harker football team,” Yager said.
5:45 p.m. “It’s amazing to see our little Eaglets come together and perform for the community,” atendee Robinson Xiang (11) said.
5:43 p.m. Second grade Eaglets take the field, dancing to “Fly Like an Eagle” by Steve Miller Band.
5:40 p.m. Lower-school cheerleaders perform a routine to “Dance Forever” by Allstar Weekend.
5:34 p.m. “It’s been a really great experience, especially to be able to coach the guys I played with for two or one years,” former Harker varsity football quarterback and current assistant coach Chris Tonev (‘23) said. “It’s really awesome to see the development from when I was a player to now when I’m a coach.”
5:33 p.m. The sophomores defeated the frosh to secure third place in tug-of war after 1 minute and 5 seconds. The juniors and seniors will battle for the championship during halftime.
5:32 p.m. “We came back from a rocky start,” tug-of-war competitor Tanishk Konduri (10) said. “We’re the class of 2027. We don’t let little setbacks hold us back.”
5:30 p.m. The Class of 2027 and 2028 tug-of-war teams enter the field and line up in preparation to pull the rope.
5:23 p.m. “I’m excited to see the spirit and the athleticism, and I love the game of football,” English teacher Nikolai Slivka said.
5:22 p.m. Audience members begin to fill the bleachers.
Varsity football hosts Anzar High School for the annual Homecoming game tonight at 6 p.m. on Davis Field.
Click to see Homecoming live coverage from 2023, 2022 and 2019.
Sophie Y • Oct 5, 2024 at 7:10 pm
Wonderful photos and coverage!