On a typical Friday night over 60 football players line up on the field during the Pledge of Allegiance and singing of the Star Spangled Banner. However, only half of the members of the team will actually make it on to the field. With team numbers at a high, the varsity football team has lots of strength. But unbeknownst to many spectators, much of the strength that is displayed by the Falcons comes from those that don't make it onto the field. These members of the team help provide the experience the key players need during practice and provide the team with moral support during games as well.

Coach Dan Donovan makes it clear that the athletes decide what level they will play on during the season. "They understand that how hard they're working, what kind of effort they're giving, their commitment, and what they're doing in the off-season to make themselves improve, all plays upon how much playing time they will get," he said.

With a primarily upperclassmen varsity team, it is apparent that their future lies in the hands of the players that are behind the scenes. "Only about 30 kids get to get out on the field on a regular basis and make a significant contribution on the field on Friday nights. But as the season goes on, we're able to put players in and get the game experience that they need at critical points. That's how our starting layers develop," said Donovan.

All the players are aware that having time in the game is crucial for improvement. "They're important because they give the team moral support," said senior Jon Caruana. "To many it may seem that they just get us water, but they contribute a lot more."

Varsity and JV practice together on a regular basis and on the weekdays all the players are together on the same field. "The guys that you see on the sidelines have to be on what's called the 'look team'. This is the team that lines up against the varsity offense, or defense, and pretends to be whatever team we're playing that week," said Harrington. "They have to learn all the plays of that team, and have it tough because they're constantly going up against the starters."

Donovan said that this job is incredibly hard. "It's admirable how everyday they come out to practice knowing that they're going to go up against kids that are usually bigger and stronger than them without getting any credit," said senior Alex Bongiorni.

Practicing keeps the team moving forward in the season. And when it comes to Friday nights, it keeps them together. "It's a lot like the movie Rudy," said junior Jeff Hannon. "Rudy goes out there and works hard and it looks like he isn't doing a lot when he really is. He's keeping the team together and that's what a lot of us do when we are not on the field."

The camaraderie that develops between the members of the team comes into play during the game and mentally helps the team get through the game. "The kids that don't play are always there, when you come off the field during a game. They're constantly encouraging us," said senior Ryan Hanofee.

To be part of a team alone is reason enough to stay involved with the sport for some. Though many individuals aren't able to be in the limelight, they realize the real benefits of being a team player. "We're able to be out there with the team and that means a lot. We work hard and we help the team," said junior Joe Lavoie.

The starters said that this devotion doesn't go unnoticed. "It's great how they stick to it. I think they realize that the potential of the team depends on them. They work a lot of the time just to help improve us. It's got to be hard to work hard for 10 weeks a year or more in the off season and not play in a varsity game," said Hanofee.

It has been said that a team is as strong as its weakest players and this year it goes without saying that the team is looking pretty strong all around. "We all work hard and I think that's what being on a football team is about. This year that work is really paying off," said senior Adam Rickis. "The look team is what helps make the starters strong. As Coach says 'We're only as good as the look team makes us' so we really prepare them. And I think our record shows that."

The effort put forth by the team members all around makes a vital difference in how well the team performs. "With the kids that don't get on the field, they do a great job of supporting the team but because they're not out under the lights, people aren't able to appreciate what they are

doing," said Donovan.

The experience that comes from working hard has enabled the football team to achieve some of their goals this season. "At the very first practice I told them all that everyone needed to give the team everything they had; that no contribution was to insignificant to our success," said Donovan.

It has become obvious by the team's record that many players have key roles; roles that go beyond the positions played by the starters each Friday night.