It has been a long, hard road for ConVal dozen senior football players, but Friday night in front of their raucous, pink-clad Homecoming crowd, the Cougars’ hard work paid off with a 52-8 blowout win over Hollis-Brookline that featured a litany of big plays and long touchdown runs.

“It just felt amazing,” said senior running back Elliot Featherstone after the game. “We’ve been putting work in since I started my sophomore year. I’ve been with this group of guys for forever now, and it just feels really good to finally be seeing some results from it. Really proud of all of us.”

Featherstone had perhaps the biggest night of his career on Friday, rushing for 115 yards with three touchdown runs of 59, 43 and 5 yards as ConVal dominated the Cavaliers from the get-go, allowing just 37 total yards in the first half.

Hollis-Brookline wouldn’t score until they threw a touchdown pass on the final play of the game.

“Our defense just always stands out,” ConVal head coach Matt Harris said after the game. “Basically, they play like brick walls. That’s how [defensive coordinator Brad] Davis coaches. He coaches a lot of energy and a lot of passion. And you can definitely see it on the field from the boys.”

It wasn’t just Featherstone who had a big night for the Cougars; several of their senior leaders were able to get free for exciting scoring plays.

Senior fullback Henry Hartwell showed off his surprising speed with an 82-yard touchdown run in the second half, and Roman Cadwallader had both a long rushing touchdown and an acrobatic reception over the middle that went for another score.

Senior quarterback Bradley Brunelle threw for 77 yards and a score, and junior quarterback Sam Davis rushed for a TD, picked off a pass with one hand and forced a fumble recovered by senior Charlie McGarvey.

It was a celebratory night for the Cougars, and Harris reflected on the journey after the game.

“Three years ago, we were in [Hollis-Brookline’s] spot,” he said. “We were the ones getting shoveled basically every game. This is when hard work, staying with it and all that stuff comes through. It was a great feeling seeing all the boys smiling again, playing football with a big smile on their face.”

The 52-8 score marked the Cougars’ highest point total and margin of victory since their record-setting 2016 season, which was perhaps the best in program history.

As his team reached new heights metaphorically, Harris reached them literally, spending most of the second half atop the press box after being disqualified following his team’s two non-player unsportsmanlike conduct penalties – one for returning to the field late after halftime, and another when an assistant coach accidentally obstructed an official running the sideline.

The technicality may cost Harris a game or two, pending an NHIAA ruling, but Friday night, all that mattered was ConVal’s big victory.

The Cougars are now 2-4 on the season, but they’ve been competitive, and both Harris and Featherstone agreed that they’re better than their record.

“Our record does not show who we are as a team, and I know that we’re going to have a good next three games,” Featherstone said.

The Cougars have three more chances to prove it: Friday’s senior night at home against Merrimack Valley (2-4), on the road at Milford (1-5) on Oct. 25 and at John Stark (4-2) on Nov. 2.