687. That is the number of days since the Taft football team played its last game (A 25-20 victory over that school in Lakeville). Prior to the 2020 season’s cancellation due to Covid-19, the last time Taft did not have a football season was 1891. 1891 saw the United States celebrating the recent admittance of Wyoming and Idaho as the 43rd and 44th states and the mourning of Civil War heroes Admiral David Dixon Porter and General William Sherman. In Pelham Manor, NY, Horace Dutton Taft’s school was beginning its second year in existence. (It wouldn’t move to its current location, Watertown, CT, until 1893). On a picture-perfect late fall afternoon, Taft defeated Philips Exeter, 27-19. Exeter opened the scoring in the first quarter when their quarterback called his own number on a zone read. The ensuing extra-point sailed wide left and the score remained 6-0. A few possessions later, Taft would answer as junior signal-caller, Nick Brown ‘23 hit Jaylen Carter ‘23 streaking across the field for a forty-eight-yard score. Steve Mayer ‘22 split the uprights and Taft found itself leading 7-6. Taft and Exeter’s defense remained stout and the score remained 7-6 at halftime. The third quarter belonged to Taft as it outscored Exeter 14-0 courtesy of a Billy Daal ‘22 six-yard scamper and the second touchdown reception between Brown and Carter. Taft was up 21-6 with 3:05 left in the third quarter and appeared to be on the verge of blowing out the home team. However, Exeter had other plans as its defense buckled down and slowed down the Taft rushing attack. Exeter would cut the lead to 21-12, recover the onside kick, and score again to cut the Taft lead to 21-19. The Rhinos would respond by putting together a gutsy nine-play drive that included two fourth-down conversions. The second of those seeing Brown hit Daal on a swing pass in the back of the endzone. Mayer’s PAT was blocked and Taft lead 27-19 with a little over two minutes remaining in the game. In the blink of an eye, Exeter found itself with first and goal on the Taft eight with a little over a minute remaining. Captain Nico Schwikal ‘22 helped lead the defense as it stopped Exeter from scoring on seven straight plays. Final Score 27-19. Taft’s next game is Saturday, October 2nd as they host the always formidable and tough Trinity-Pawling Pride. The kickoff is scheduled for 7 pm.