It was two hours before kickoff, and two hundred or more Needham fans were already pumped up Thursday as they jammed Six String Grill and Stage at Patriot Place outside Gillette Stadium. After all, it was only the second time the Needham Rockets would be playing for the Division 1 state championship.
“It’s a huge deal, for the team and the whole town,” said Chris Schreiber, whose son Ben, a junior, starred at tight end and linebacker.
“I am excited. Nervous excited,” said Kristen Carr, mother of quarterback Griffin Carr. She said she goes to all the Rockets’ football games, but “this is a little different. It’s something that’s unforgettable.”
Excitement was bubbling over among players’ parents and siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, NHS cheerleaders and Needham townies. Vaughn Williams, father of star running back Aidan, and Susie Kajunski, mother of senior back Joe, took the stage to lead the crowd in a rousing cheer for the Rockets.
Greg Harjula’s son Colton played running back and linebacker for the freshman team this season and was in uniform for last night’s game. “It’s a great group of kids,” Hajula said. “A great coaching staff. They do a really good job of (creating) that family feel, which I think helps.”
Kristin Treacy said her family is a hockey family — her son Sam is a Rockets’ defenseman — but she was at Gillette to cheer the football team on. She cited the backing the athletes had from the community. “The police and the FD have been so supportive of the team,” Treacy said. “It makes it really special and exciting for them.”
The parents of senior players said the boys were well aware that they were strapping on their pads for the final time together. “I think they all realize this is the end, so I think they are together more than ever,” said Schreiber.
And even though their team did not win, Needham parents and fans were aware that yesterday was indeed something special.
“I just hope that they have a great game and they’re happy with their performance,” said Carr. “It’s a great way to go out and to be able to play at Gillette, isn’t it?”
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