The East Football Team played its first game on the new turf field on Saturday, October 8 against the Delsea Crusaders. The fans, the cheerleaders and the marching band all showed excitement about the first football game on the turf as the energy was high at Cherry Hill East.

Prior to kickoff, the field hockey team and both the boys’ and girl’s soccer teams were honored as programs which will play on the new turf field. The spirit brought onto the field by the fall athletes made for a lively environment at East.

At kickoff, the 0-3 Cougars seemed strong and ready to compete against the 1-4 Delsea team. After the first quarter, Delsea led 7-0 after scoring a 40-yard touchdown and getting the extra point. Quickly into the second quarter, Delsea scored once again with a 70-yard touchdown and another extra point to make the score 14-0, Delsea.

Soon after, Delsea began to work off of East’s mistakes. Delsea blocked an East punt and recovered the ball to run it into the end zone. A few more touchdowns from the Crusaders lead to a halftime score of 35-0, Delsea.

Into the second half, Delsea continued to be the dominating force. The Crusaders went on to score four more touchdowns and ultimately defeat the Cougars 60-0.

With a tough defense from Delsea, East failed to get much offensive play and failed to see its first points of the 2016 season. Although the game did not end in East’s favor, a large portion of the season still lies ahead for East and its new turf field.