‘Let there be light’
The crowd was hyped, the game was sold out and the anticipation was extraordinary. Friday Night Lights at Belen Jesuit are finally here! On September 6, our varsity football team ran onto the field through their new custom Wolverine tunnel thanks to the Fresco family and into school history.
“We’ve been waiting for this moment for over 30-years,” said Father Willie. “Let there be light” he continued as the field lights turned on and the crowd went wild.
Over 1,200 spectators were on-hand to witness the special moment. The Wolverines played the Doral Academy Falcons and earned their first win of the season.
“It was a great atmosphere for everyone involved,” said Head Coach Eddie Delgado. “The players and coaches could feel the energy from the crowd. It was an honor for all of us to be a part of such a historic event. The team played well and we were able to get our first win of the season in front of a great crowd.”
Breton Rice opened the game with a field goal early in the first quarter, followed by a touchdown by Hayden Puente. In the second quarter, Dorian Gonzalez raised the score to 17-0. Donald Chaney Jr. ran 43-yards to score the final touchdown for the Wolverines in the third quarter and end the game at 24-0.
“This game was really important to us, we were coming off two straight losses and we all knew we worked way too hard to keep losing games,” said Puente. “Scoring the first touchdown was very exciting because I knew everyone was excited and proud. It was a great feeling.”
The atmosphere was electric. Members of the class of 2020 sported a red, white and blue theme, complete with the “Statue of Liberty”. Students led the fans in spirited cheers and enjoyed throwing baby powder in the air and stands. The Belen Drum Line and the cheerleaders from Our Lady of Lourdes Academy helped to keep the momentum and energy high throughout the game.
“The game was a historic event for Belen, and being able to be part of the first team to play under the light was amazing,” said Rice.
At the end of the game, the football players stormed the fence closest to the stands and led a very emotional Salve Regina. Father Willie then prayed with the athletes,“We place our victory in your hands and everything we do is for your glory.”
Special thanks to Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jose "Pepe" Díaz for his ongoing support, Ben Fernández '82 and Greg Fontela ‘07 our attorneys, Jose González '91, Robert Curbelo, Carlos Huembes for their support.
Click here to watch the game on our YouTube channel or click here to see the photo album.
Next up for the varsity team:
Sept. 13 vs Naples Gulf Coast | 7 p.m. (Away)
Sept. 20 vs Southwest | 7:00 p.m. (Home)
Sept. 27 vs Central @ Traz | 7:30 p.m.
Oct . 4 vs South Miami | 7:00 p.m. (Home)
Oct .11 vs Champagnat | 7:00 p.m. (Homecoming)
Oct. 18 Norland @ NM Stadium | 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 25 vs Southridge | 7:00 p.m. (Home)
BELEN JESUIT PREPARATORY SCHOOL
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184
phone: 305.223.8600 | fax: 305.227.2565 | email: webmaster@belenjesuit.org
500 SW 127th Avenue, Miami, FL 33184
phone: 305.223.8600 | fax: 305.227.2565 | email: webmaster@belenjesuit.org
Belen Jesuit Preparatory School was founded in 1854 in Havana, Cuba by Queen Isabel II of Spain. The task of educating students was assigned to the priests and brothers of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), whose teaching tradition is synonymous with academic excellence and spiritual discipline. In 1961, the new political regime of Cuba confiscated the School property and expelled the Jesuit faculty. The School was re-established in Miami the same year, and over the next decade, continued to grow. Today, Belen Jesuit sits on a 30-acre site in western Dade County, only minutes away from downtown Miami.