There are three things inevitable in life: death, taxes, and football senior night.

This past Saturday, the seniors on the Williston Northampton football team celebrated their final game on Sawyer field. It goes without saying that the night was special. Nothing would stop the seniors’ light from shining.

The seniors ranged from players who’ve been involved in the program for four years, to post-graduates who have been in the program for just this year.

The year’s 18 seniors include an onslaught of playmakers including quarterback and defensive back Ledell Robinson, defensive tackle Marquis Francois, fullback Pat St. Martin, and half back and cornerback Michael Walters.

The senior players on the team have had a tremendous impact on the way the Wildcats’ season has gone. Williston posted a 6-2 record, while never disappointing the home crowd posting a perfect 4-0 record.

When asked about the impact of the 2013 senior class, head coach Mark Conroy said, “The single most important factor in the success of our season has been the leadership and play of this year’s senior class.  It is a special group that has great chemistry both on and off the field.  They certainly have set a great example for the younger classes to emulate.”

From the head coach, to the freshmen, and everyone in-between, the feeling is mutual about this year’s seniors.

When asked what effect the seniors had on him and the team, junior cornerback and wide receiver Marshall Rizzuto said, “The senior class has brought the best out of everyone in times of need and always provided support through mistakes and glory.”

When asked what the team meant to him, post-grad offensive and defensive lineman Brian Schmidt said, “At my first arrival to the school I was a bit nervous and unsure of what people at this school were like. I wasn’t sure if I’d fit in anywhere, but after just a few days of practice on the football field I knew exactly who my friends for the year would be.”

He continued to say, “This season alone has been by far my best and most exciting experience as a football and now I’ve considered to play in college because of it.”

As shown by Marshall Rizzuto and Brian Schmidt, football has become more than a game you play with people you’ll never see again. These people, who started off as strangers, became brothers with an unbreakable bond over the course of eight weeks.

One avid supporter of the idea of brotherhood with the senior class is sophomore running back Nick Garofano. When asked what the senior class meant to him, he said, “There’s too much to say. [The seniors] have made me a better football player from just being surrounded by so much talent and have become my brothers that I can depend on, whether it’s on the field, during school or just hanging out in the dorms.”

It’s fair to say that this year’s senior football players have been like a group of big brothers to the underclassmen on the team. Whether it’s been making sure that the underclassman are handling their business in the classroom, or making sure they know their blocking assignments on a particular play, the seniors have been role models.

When you think of a big brother, you think of a figure who will protect you, teach you, love you, and be your best friend. Someone who will pick you up when you’re down or sometimes hold you down when you need it. Someone who won’t be afraid to tell you, “I messed up” and be sure that you’ll never make the same mistakes that he made. Though the weight of the world may seem to be on his shoulders, your big brother carries it effortlessly, showing you how to deal with it when it’s your turn.

Post-grad running back and strong safety Anthony Cruz can attest to this. “When I messed up, it was the worst feeling in the world. To know that I hurt the people closest to me the most, really tore me down. But I made sure that my response to the situation was positive. I had to reassure the people around me that I wouldn’t let a mistake define who I am. I had to show my teammates that I’m still someone they can turn to and look up to as a role model.”

The lights are on, the moment is big. You’re called into a huddle, everything is quiet. You look at the faces around you for reassurance. For comfort. Because at the end of the day, when you’re on the field, running around, hitting people, and making game-wining plays, you don’t celebrate with the fans or the opponents, but with your brothers. The 2014 senior class has helped this year’s team bond and made it a team to remember. Like Terri Guillements said, “There’s no other love like the love for a brother.  There’s no other love like the love from a brother.”