AMHERST — Lorelei McClure called from beyond the fence surrounding the field at McGuirk Alumni stadium, “Miles Rai Foerster, come say hello.”
“Yes ma’am,” said Foerster, the St. Thomas More quarterback. He jogged around the Chancellors’ bench and hugged his grandmother over the fence. Foerster, an Amherst native, noticed his family and friends around the stadium during the first half of Friday’s football game against Worcester Academy, but could typically only nod or wave.
“It’s hard during the game, but I notice them,” he said. “It’s amazing to see them afterward, all the support. It touches me a lot.”
His family and friends saw Foerster throw for two touchdowns in a 35-14 win. St. Thomas More opened the game with four straight passes by Foerster. He found Jahvon Adams open deep down the right side for a 43-yard score 2 minutes, 22 seconds into the game.
“My guy was just open,” Foerster said. “I trust him to catch the ball.”
Adams also played a part in Foerster’s second touchdown pass. Foerster found Adams on a 15-yard crossing pattern, then Adams received a block on the cornerback guarding him and outran the safety to the end zone.
“(Foerster) kept his composure, which was important,” St. Thomas More coach Jeff Moore said. “We missed some chances, receiver-wise that hurt us, missed a couple throws as well. Overall he did pretty well, but we have some things to fix.”
Foerster faced pressure for most of the game. The Chancellors had to plug in a backup guard after an injury on the first few series. He also dealt with several off-target snaps but remained positive. Foerster spent time on the sidelines talking with receivers after drops or calming down lineman upset after sacks or holding penalties.
“I just try to keep my voice down, keep the energy up,” Foerster said.
The Chancellors’ defense and running game picked up the slack. They forced two safeties, and Elijah Brown returned an interception for a touchdown. Brian Santana had a 20-yard rushing touchdown and Tavori Atkins ran for a 16-yard score.
“Our effort was phenomenal,” Moore said.
Foerster’s parents, Jana McClure and Rand Foerster, were glad for the short drive to watch their son play. They normally drive down to Waterford, Connecticut, for home games or away.
“We don’t miss a game,” Jana McClure said.
They knew what a big deal it was for their son to be able to play a game at UMass after growing up in Amherst. He attended camps there and was on the sidelines for most of Amherst Regional’s Thanksgiving game against Northampton his freshman year in 2014.
“UMass is a place that’s big in his heart,” Rand Foerster said. “This feels like home for him.”
Moore is a UMass alum and set up the game. Initially he wanted the Chancellors to play Baltimore’s St. Frances Academy, the No. 4 team in the country, at McGuirk. That game was scheduled for Oct. 19, which didn’t work for UMass. Worcester Academy agreed to play in Amherst, and the involved parties made it happen.
“This is the coolest place we’ve ever played,” Moore said. “I can’t appreciate enough UMass and the coaching staff for setting this up. It’s a cool opportunity for all the kids.”
Foerster started hugging coaches, family and friends as soon as Moore finished his postgame speech. He posed for selfies and family pictures. He’s going to spend Saturday at home, get a haircut at Matt’s Barber Shop before going back to school Sunday.
“I do it for Amherst, that’s the hometown,” Miles Foerster said.
Kyle Grabowski can be reached at kgrabowski@gazettenet.com.