In the end, there was blood.
In football, there's nothing more precious you can leave on the turf than a few drops of your A-Positive or O-Negative.
For many of the Waltham High football players following yesterday's 18-11 loss to Brockton, there were traces of effort stains on hands, arms, necks, uniforms and torn bits of tape around the helmets. There was also plenty of sweat on the 52-degree day, and maybe even a tear or two shed amid the near-miss in the final game of the Waltham-Brockton rivalry.
But when it comes to the pledge of any player in his final game to leave everything out on the field, the blood-stained clothes and Marciano Stadium turf were sure indications the Hawks did just that.
``This was a pride game,'' said senior quarterback Ivan Colon. ``That's what it was.
``I mean, we weren't going anywhere after this,'' he later added. ``We had our chances this season and we didn't do it. But this was my senior year - my last game - and I wanted to still go all out. I feel like the whole team wanted to, and it did.''
While you hoped that would be the case on any Thanksgiving, the circumstances surrounding Waltham's run up to its final trip to Brockton left some room for the Hawks to pack it in early had they chosen. With a share of the Dual County League Large Division title on the line Nov. 13, the Hawks suffered a 42-6 defeat at Westford Academy. They came out of that game knowing that senior two-way star lineman Daniel Maynes was lost for the season due to injury, and as Thanksgiving drew closer it became clear junior standout linebacker Marjan Solomon would be sidelined as well.
But Brockton was dealing with some of its own demons yesterday - three Boxer players were suspended for alcohol possession in a controversy that drew the interest of Boston newspapers and TV stations - and the Hawks arrived at Marciano Stadium ready to seize their chance at a season-salvaging upset.
When they closed the deficit to one point with six minutes left in the fourth quarter, it appeared they just might get it.
Even though they didn't pull it off, Waltham coach Paul Mayberry said he was proud at how much many of the seniors gave of themselves in trying.
``A lot of these kids had great games,'' he said. ``That's what you want as a coach - for your kids to get better and better. I wish we had played this way last week.
``But we came back and played well today, and that's all you can ask for. ... The seniors played well. They hustled. They did everything I asked them to do.''
At the head of that class was Colon, who defended two passes in the first Brockton drive and covered the outside receiver all game as the Boxers went to the air 15 times. He also carried the ball 18 times as part of Waltham's misdirection running attack, fielded countless low snaps to salvage what could have been busted plays, threw a 33-yard completion, attempted a run on a fake punt, and scurried in with the two-point conversion rush that cut the gap to 12-11 in the fourth quarter.
``He's going to be tired tonight,'' Mayberry predicted. ``He's going to be one tired kid.''
He wasn't going to be the only one. Senior linebackers Jonas Duffrene and Daniel Lombardi both frequently blitzed and played two ways in the game. Seniors Michael Nutile and Dylan Carnes led the coverage in the defensive backfield that seemed destined to be tested all morning, and passed those tests a good 90 percent of the time.
There was junior Connor Rinck playing on the line with one of his hands wrapped in club-like fashion, and junior Peter Jean Paul fighting off constant blocks - and at least two holds on the final Brockton drive - to try to stuff the run. There was plenty of spirit out of senior linebacker Ian Stanton, and the second chance in the fourth quarter for senior tight end Steve Krueger to make the biggest catch of his career.
There was an effort worthy of the final chapter in the storied history of Waltham-Brockton.
And a farewell fingerprint of blood smudged on the last page to prove it.
(Scott Souza is the Daily News Tribune sports editor. He can be reached at 781-398-8006 or ssouza@cnc.com.)
