Latin’s flag football game against Parker on Friday night both touched down for a win and touched students’ and faculty’s hearts. A charity fundraiser in partnership with Hope Squad, the game brought awareness to mental health issues and connected the community for Latin’s very own Friday Night Lights.

Under the night sky and the Lincoln Park turf’s stadium lights, over 200 students from both schools geared up to watch Latin and Parker’s co-ed flag football teams. The players turned on the heat throughout the match, with senior Charlie Yannias scoring the first touchdown of the game, and senior Drew Lufrano following suit in the second quarter, bringing the score to 16-0 at halftime. Senior Delfi Sola kept Parker out of the end zone, with killer quarterback sacks and runner tackles, and 9th and 10th Grade Dean and English teacher Lenny Goldman kept the teams honest as a referee.

Still, the Romans wanted more on the scoreboard. “I need to see some more scrambles from Drew,” junior Jonah Kaufman, a spectator, said during the third quarter. “If Drew can wait [for] the [perfect] time, and get a quick scramble, if he needs it, I think that we could be winning by way more.”

Jonah got his wish when Drew completed an incredible, 50-yard quarterback scramble—an impromptu play when the quarterback runs with the ball instead of throwing it—kicking off an exciting fourth quarter. “He beat out the two best Parker defenders in a footrace!” freshman Grant Gandhi said.

Just after Drew’s scramble, Parker narrowly secured a touchdown, but Latin fired back with a deep touchdown to senior Josh Solovy, bringing the score to 35-21 at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

The action was far from over as Parker turned on the speed, scoring two more touchdowns and narrowing the gap to 35-33 in the game’s final minutes. All eyes stayed locked on the two-point conversion that would determine the game.

With an epic deflection by junior Thomas Axel, Latin kept its lead and won the game. Romans rushed the turf in excitement; players gathered for celebratory photos; the team received a winning trophy, and Jonah shared his remarks. “Drew, he got the scramble. That’s what we love to see,” he said. “This was a great game. The defense was playing. The offense was playing. We got plenty of yards on the ground.”

Latin could not have won without its incredible defensive players, and Delfi shone as an edge rusher with game-defining plays. After the game, Latin’s coaches, senior Ralu Nzelibe and junior Rohin Shah, rewarded her athletic efforts by naming her the game’s Most Valuable Player. Jonah thought this title was well-deserved. “Delfi is the greatest edge rush[er] I’ve ever seen,” he said.

Even Delfi was shocked by her own performance. “I honestly didn’t think I was going to play that well,” she said. “I was not taking it that seriously, but it ended up being really fun, and everyone on the team was really supportive of each other. We all [wanted] to win really badly.”

The inter-school aspect of the game was also a connective opportunity for her. “I had friends on the opposing team, so it was fun to play them and have that sort of rivalry,” Delfi said.

Junior Naomi Herman agreed with Delfi. “I like seeing us compete with Parker,” she said.

Sophomore Nolan Levy loved the game for its positive impact on Latin. “I think this is a really good experience, and it’s bringing the community together,” he said.

Not only did the game bring Latin together, but it brought attention to an important cause. Hope Squad used the game to raise money for Elyssa’s Mission, a charity dedicated to youth suicide prevention. Hope Squad members camped out in the lunchroom and on the field, selling raffle tickets with big prizes that included Cubs merchandise and Bears tickets. “This raffle is a really fun and good way to raise money for a really important cause, and I’m glad we did it,” junior and Hope Squad member Sadie Lyons said.

Upper School performing arts teacher and Hope Squad faculty advisor Frank Schneider agreed. “I think anything that brings attention to mental health and suicide prevention is a positive in the community,” he said.

With so much good coming from the game, many students think that flag football at Latin should continue for years to come. “I think this should be done a lot," Naomi said. “It should be more than just a tradition—there should be [regular fall] teams.”