Historically, Westfield Football has been one of the most prestigious WHS athletic programs, with its most recent state championships coming in the form of a “three-peat” from 2015 to 2017. Off the field, however, the team has a weekly pregame tradition to get them ready for kickoff.
Whether they have a day or night game, they gather hours before the game to eat together in the bleachers at Gary Kehler Stadium or the cafeteria at the high school. Senior Anthony Tankard said, “Eating together as a team at Kehler before the games gets us in the right mindset early on. Being all together for a pregame meal for a long time gives me motivation to play hard for my teammates.”
These meals also provide an opportunity to build bonds between grades. Head coach Matthew Andzel believes it is beneficial for different classes to sit and eat together to boost overall team camaraderie.
These weekly meals have been a tradition in Westfield football for at least 30 years. Since 2023, Andzel has added a new meal-type bonding activity to the agenda: partnering the team with Salad House. “We do a team meal with Salad House, and it’s how we break football camp. We go to Tamaques Park, and the Salad House sponsors us outside of a football setting. It’s a little bit calmer over there.”
Andzel also detailed that the park is where the team started their PAL football careers. This location is not only a safe space where the team can enjoy a post-camp tradition, but also a way to remember a legacy that continues to be created.
Team camaraderie is very important to the Westfield football team. “You have to have opportunities outside of practices or games where they are together, so they can bond, be friends and get to know each other on a less surface level outside of football. Really, outside of school as well,” said Andzel.
Senior co-captain Jake Zemsky understands how important it is to create deeper friendships with teammates. “Being a close unit, saying ‘what’s up’ in the hallways and hanging out together outside of practice goes a long way,” said Zemsky. “I want to win for these guys because we are also friends outside of football.”
Football is clearly one of the most team-oriented sports that there is. Without the brotherhood that comes with it, Westfield would not have the flow or harmony they have on the field. Andzel said, “When the boys get to create deeper bonds together playing a game like football, they’ll play better because they care about each other.”
