@kinkaid_headofschool

The Falcons celebrate their victory by proudly holding up the SJS game trophy after an unforgettable season of hard work and dedication.

Blinding lights illuminated the football field as chanting, screaming and cowbells ringing echoed through the air. 

When the buzzer screeched, the Falcon varsity football players, wearing black jerseys, ran to the endzone, congratulating each other on another win. 

Nov. 1, 2024 marked Kinkaid’s 12-game winning streak against the St. John’s School in the annual showdown between the two teams at Rice University. 

When the game started, senior Cole Allen, a Harvard commit, scored a touchdown in the first few minutes for St. John’s. The Mavericks went up 7 and the pressure was starting to grow for the Falcons. 

As the clock ran down to the last few minutes of the first quarter, Kinkaid’s junior receiver Peter Liuzzi caught a touchdown and sophomore Wayne Shanks ran it in for a two-point conversion, bringing the Falcons’ score to 8 points. Kinkaid was ahead of St. John’s at the end of the first quarter. 

“I felt excited and energized throughout the game. Suspense was definitely there,” said Matthew Berman, a senior safety. 

The second quarter of the game displayed that suspense as Shanks made it into the endzone, earning Kinkaid another 7 points. As the first half was nearing its end, St. John’s Allen caught a touchdown for his second of the night. This resulted in the score being 15-13 with Kinkaid in the lead. The football players were able to go into halftime with a little more ease. 

“I am most proud of our team’s fight and perseverance,” said Kristopher Carlson, a senior lineman. “There are games where we have faced adversity throughout the season, but ultimately, we have thrived under pressure and done our jobs.” 

Throughout the third quarter, both Kinkaid and St. John’s got close to scoring touchdowns, but neither were able to capitalize on opportunities to do so. The score after the third quarter remained 15–13. 

By the fourth quarter, fans were on the edge of their seats, waiting to watch which team would win. In the first eight minutes of the quarter, St. John’s Allen, scored his third touchdown of the night but failed the two-point conversion, bringing the Mavericks to 19 points.

 “Towards the end of the game, I felt as if my heart was about to burst out of my chest. The way the game ended up going, it really caused me to be very nervous but excited at the same time,” Shanks said. 

With only a few minutes left in the game and on a fourth down, Kinkaid’s senior quarterback David Capobianco connected with receiver Jordan Manuel for a 20-yard touchdown to give the Falcons the lead.  

Cowbells rang as Falcons fans cheered in excitement. The Falcons were ahead 21-19. 

However, the game was not over. St. John’s still had enough time to score a touchdown or field goal.  

The Mavericks marched down the field and with six seconds remaining, Allen was the target for a pass but Kinkaid’s Manuel intercepted the ball. 

This was the only interception of the game and once Manuel caught the ball, the final buzzer rang and crushed the hopes of the Mavericks.

“My favorite part of the game was the final interception. Our coaches and leaders preach about staying the course and not getting too emotional until the game is over, so once we have finally won, I can be proud of what we have accomplished,” Carlson said.