The Holyoke High School Knights varsity football team had a great start to the season, taking their first win of the season against Chicopee with a score of 42-12.  Great communication and passing enabled the team to earn this victory in dramatic fashion. The fans and the community have been invested in the season following this important win. At the first home game, Holyoke went head to head against Longmeadow.  It was a very close game, but unfortunately Longmeadow took the win with a score of 34-35.

At different times in 2019, Holyoke has struggled in the defensive game, but the offense often manages to push through the opponent’s line, despite the defensive setbacks. Late in the season, Holyoke still had a chance to prove that they can hit higher numbers both on offensive and defensive sides of the game.

When Holyoke hosted Commerce on November 8, the team enjoyed a great all-around game.  They played very well offensively, and even defensively as well, which was important for the team and held commerce to 28 points.  Holyoke topped Commerce 44-28, giving Holyoke a 4-4 record and a two-win streak and allowed the team to go into the final two games of the season and the Thanksgiving Day Game on a positive note.

Holyoke was not able to stay ahead of Westfield, dropping the November 15 game 26-8, and bringing the team into the big Thanksgiving Day Game against bridge rival South Hadley.

Going into the Thanksgiving Day Game, fans were hoping to see a strong defense knowing that South Hadley is a very competitive team. Holyoke counted on the many fans that made the trip over the bridge to give the team confidence, as the Purple Knights went on to score 26 points.  In the end, South Hadley’s offense was just too much, as South Hadley went on to win 50-26.

In a roller coaster of a season, the Purple Knights had many great moments, making the 2019 season a very interesting one to say the least.