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undefeated Avon team, where Taft was
down 21–13 but scored the last 24 points
of the game. They next faced a powerful
4–1 Choate squad, who also jumped out
to an early lead. Senior Matt Quatrano’s
interception return for a touchdown
turned the game around, as did his play
on defense and his TD reception. The
much-anticipated match up with undefeated
Kent was put on hold on Parents’
Day when the October blizzard hit,
nearly stranding the Kent football team
on the roads back to school. However,
both teams went on to win their remaining
games, and the two undefeated Class
A teams met at Rockefeller Field with
the Norm Walker Bowl and the Erickson
Conference on the line. Taft would jump
out to a 21–0 halftime lead with fumble
recoveries, Tim Drakely’s sharp passing
(he finished the game completing 13
passes for 136 yards and one TD), and
Demetrius Russell’s 74-yard touchdown
run. Russell would finish with 136 yards
rushing, and Taft held at bay a tough Kent
team that came alive in the second half.
Jackson McGonagle ’12 and Anthony
Gaffney ’12 were the key receivers, while
Gaffney (3 INTs) and Alex Huard ’14
(2 INTs) were defensively destructive to
Kent. The 28–18 win was Taft’s first New
England Bowl championship since 1992
and reflects the optimism and devotion
of Coach Panos Voulgaris. Based on their
excellent play all season, defensive linemen
Frankie Benavides ’12 and Jordan
Stone ’12 were All-Conference players, as
well as defensive backs Huard, Quatrano,
and John Zakrzewski ’12 (the team’s leading
tackler). Adam Parker ’13, another
leading tackler, was an All-Conference
linebacker, along with Russell at running
back, and Drakely (QB), who finished
the year with 28 TD passes and 1 INT.
Drakely, Quatrano and Stone were
named to the All-New England team,
with Gaffney earning Player of the Year
honors for his 17 touchdown receptions
and great defensive play.
Boys Soccer 12–3–1
New England Semifinalists
This team, who will be remembered
as one of the great Taft soccer teams,
was composed of four three-year players,
four experienced underclassman,
a handful of players new to Taft, and a
selection of players from the JV team.
After ten games, Taft was undefeated
and outscored their opponents 33–3. It
was an impressive start as key wins over
h Max Feidelson ’12 and
Andrew Trevenen ’13,
who scored two goals in
the semifinal game.
Phil Dutton/Photo Trophies
FALL AWARD WINNERS
The John B. Small Award............................................................. Carlos E. Garcia ’12
Eric H. Metcalf ’12
The Girls’ Cross Country Award ........................................... Madison R. Estey ’12
Eleanor B. Hough ’12
Emma M. Stein ’12
The Field Hockey Award.......................................................Caitlin D. Majewski ’12
Erin Jordan McCarthy ’12
The Livingston Carroll Soccer Award...................................Zachary B. Karlan ’12
The 1976 Girls’ Soccer Award..................................................... Alexa E. Dwyer ’12
The Black Football Award....................................................Frankie J. Benavides ’12
The Cross Football Award...........................................................Jordan K. Stone ’12
The Volleyball Award.........................................................................Olivia J. Burt ’12
Avon (3–0), Deerfield (2–1), Berkshire
(2–0), Williston (3–1) and Loomis
(2–0) propelled the Rhinos into the
New England Tournament with a #3
ranking. Their first-round victory over
Worcester Academy, a convincing 4–1
win at home behind two goals apiece
by Andrew Trevenen ’13 and Mitch
Wagner ’12, sent Taft up to Lakeville
to face a strong Hotchkiss team. The
semifinal was a memorable battle between
rivals, both teams missing clear
chances to win in regulation. Taft would
lose stellar goalie Jack Katkavich ’12
to injury in the final quarter, and then
20 Taft Bulletin Winter 2012