Senior Night is always a time of bittersweet departures. The same can be said for the 2025 Golden Tornados Football senior night on November 16th. As the seniors suited up for one last guaranteed home game, they stepped out and walked with their families for the senior ceremony, reflecting on their journeys thus far.
“Senior year came really fast. I remember last year, seeing the older seniors who were leaving, and they used to say, This is going to be you soon,” reflected senior linebacker and left guard Ismail Elbahlawan.
“It’s kind of crazy because I’ve been playing football my whole life, so knowing that this is my last year playing, it’s a weird feeling,” expressed senior captain and quarterback Billy Gavin.
Elbahlawan described the energy during the ceremony as “surreal.” Senior captain linebacker and receiver Kenny Turcios Melgar agreed, “It was a weird feeling of pride and happiness.” He continued, “I was happy that I made it this far, and proud that I got to share this moment with my mom, dad, brothers, and sisters walking with me.”
After the ceremony and national anthem, it was time for the kickoff. Watertown opened the game with a high onside kick that Malden recovered at the 42-yard line.
Watertown’s first drive started with an early first down through a series of short runs, before Malden’s defense settled in, and forced a three-and-out and punt on the 4th down. However, after a muffed catch on the punt, Watertown pounced on the ball at the 20.
After converting a 4th and 1 from the six-yard line, Watertown had 1st and goal, where they handed it off to the running back, who ran to the outside and punched in the first touchdown of the game. After a successful two-point conversion, it was 8-0.
Later in the quarter, after a short run for a gain of two yards, on 2nd and 8 from the 22, sophomore running back and linebacker Jayden McGuffie took a handoff up the middle, where he broke a few tackles before cutting to the outside, where he outpaced any remaining defenders for a 78-yard touchdown to put Malden on the board. After an unsuccessful two-point conversion, Malden went into the half down 8-6.
On the opening drive of the second half, Watertown really looked to punish Malden’s weak run defense by attacking them on the ground. After a few chunk runs by Watertown, their quarterback broke to the outside and was into the endzone for another Watertown touchdown early in the third quarter. After another successful two-point conversion, the score was 16-6.
On the following drive, a handoff to McGuffie was fumbled and resulted in another turnover for Malden at their 38. “The fumbles were the worst part. We had three, and our offense just couldn’t get moving,” stated senior captain receiver and cornerback Manny Perez, who is also a reporter for the Blue and Gold.
However, failed runs and holding penalties made it impossible for Malden to get anywhere. This caused Malden to attempt moving through the air and target Perez on a corner route that was picked off by Watertown. After a successful 2-point conversion, the score was 24-6.
The next drive saw Malden’s focus on the air, despite a previous interception. This paid off, as they drove down the field with passes to Perez, Melgar, and finally a 19-yard reception in the endzone for Schonton to make the score 24-12 after an unsuccessful two-point conversion.
However, Watertown wasted no time responding after taking the opening play of the drive to the house on a handoff up the middle that was broken to the outside. This was followed by a field goal to make it 31-12.
McGuffie scored again on another drive up the middle, when he was able to break to the outside, and flatten an opponent with a stiff arm, before getting all the way to the 5-yard line. He then walked in untouched, with help from the offensive line’s sizable crater for McGuffie to pass through and earn a touchdown. An unsuccessful two-point conversion kept the score at 31-18.
Down 37-18 later in the game, McGuffie was able to break off a big run for another touchdown, but a flag brought it back, which then led to Malden going four and out.
After turning the ball over on downs, Malden was forced to defend at their own 33. This was unsuccessful after a QB draw on 2nd down brought Watertown all the way to the two-yard line, where they handed the ball off to make it 45-18 after a successful two-point conversion.
Malden scored on their following drive with a 41-yard McGuffie run, followed by their only successful two-point conversion of the game by Elbahlawan, but it was too late as Watertown was to kneel out the remainder of the game.
Despite the undesired result, the night wasn’t ruined by the loss, as players and families could be seen taking pictures with the senior posters and holding up handmade ones for photos.
“Yeah, of course it sucks to lose, but that loss doesn’t define all the work we’ve put in, all the bonds we’ve made, and the memories,” concluded Elbahlawan.
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