The Gilmour Academy varsity football team led from start to finish in claiming a 35-3 win over Hawken School this past Saturday on a seasonable afternoon at Weber Stadium.
The win moved the Lancers to 3-0 on the campaign and also extended their stretch of recent dominance over the Hawks. Gilmour has now won six straight games against Hawken and eight of the last nine in the series. During the Lancers' six-game winning streak, Gilmour has outscored its neighborhood rivals by a combined 247-75.
One week after being named as News Herald Player of the Week, Andy Kavcic '24 demonstrated that he was no one-hit wonder at quarterback. He had a monster day offensively, utilizing both his arm and legs.
Kavcic rushed 26 times for 152 yards and two touchdowns while also completing 8-of-12 passes, including a touchdown. Tommy McCrone '23 was his top target, catching five passes for 53 yards.
Rocco Hice '23 led the defense with 10 tackles while Mick Hopkins '22 added eight and Louka Babic '23 finished with seven stops.
After each team punted on its opening possession, Gilmour would find the end zone on its second drive. Andy Kavcic capped off the scoring sequence with a 1-yard quarterback sneak just over eight minutes into the game.
About one minute into the second quarter, Kavcic again crossed the goal line from a yard out to make it a two-score game. A Hawken field goal briefly interrupted the Gilmour momentum, but it proved to be short-lived.
Hopkins found the end zone for the first time this season with four minutes left in the first half. He scored with ease on a five-yard rush, giving the hosts a 21-3 lead at the half.
Gilmour had the game in hand throughout the second half and extended its lead in both the third and fourth quarters.
A six-yard touchdown by Jake Kavcic '24 and a 32-yard touchdown grab by McCrone set the final margin. McCrone's catch capped off the win in style as he made an over-the-shoulder catch in stride while staying in bounds in the back of the end zone.
Gilmour's dominance was also evident in the team statistical categories. The Lancers racked up 335 yards of total offense while allowing just 125 to the Hawks. GA's ground game was especially effective as it accumulated 242 rushing yards on 45 attempts, averaging over five per carry. Gilmour tallied 18 first downs in the game to just six for Hawken.
At halftime of the game, Gilmour recognized its Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2020. The inductees were honored at midfield and received their official Hall of Fame plaque from Athletic Director Sean O'Toole. The class consisted of: Katy Beach '05, Kevin Geraci '59, Tom McCrone '96, Bart Merkel '10, Bekka (Simko) Morgan '10, Paul Primeau, Jarred Smith '06 and Billy Urban '09.
Gilmour will conclude its season-opening four-game homestand this coming Saturday as it welcomes Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School.
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