This past Saturday, as Hokie Nation welcomed Rutgers University, the Marching Virginians had the wonderful privilege of hosting high schoolers from around Virginia!
All of us here at Virginia Tech were so happy to perform alongside our new high school friends (and hopefully prospective MVs!) during our Military Appreciation performance. Check-in began bright and early for our guests at 9:30, and the MVs began our practice at 10:30. Our repertoire included John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever,” the service song of each military branch, and John Williams’s “Olympic Fanfare and Theme.”
Go Hokies! Photo courtesy of Andrew Single (MV Online Content).
First Half
The first quarter started off a bit slow back and forth between two teams, but later on Rutgers Running Back Kyle Monangai scored a 1-yard touchdown. At the very end of the first quarter Rutgers Running Back Sam Brown scored another touchdown for the opposing team, putting the score at 14-0 Rutgers. Quickly into the second quarter Hokie Running Back Bhayshul Tuten scores a 23-yard touchdown, making the score 14-7 Rutgers. Near the end of the second quarter, Hokie Quarterback Kyron Drones sacked in the endzone for a safety, putting the score at 16-7 Rutgers by Halftime. Afterward the hardworking football team moved out of the way for their friends in the Marching Virginians so we could have the field for halftime!
Halftime
As we took the field, this was an extra special performance since we were not only able to perform with the high schoolers, but we also had the honor of recognizing and remembering current and past members of the United States armed forces. We first performed each song that represented each branch of the armed forces, and any current or past member of the respective branch was asked to stand to be recognized. The high schoolers quickly joined us afterward to perform the “Olympic Fanfare and Theme” along with our national march, “Stars and Stripes Forever.” After playing “Tech Triumph” to end our performance, we were back in the stands to continue the game against Rutgers.
Tuba train! Photo courtesy of MV Online Content.
Second Half
The third quarter featured Rutgers in the lead after Brown scored a 5-yard touchdown. Going into the fourth quarter, Tuten quickly scored a 14-yard touchdown, with a 2-point conversion to Benji Gosnell. At 4:35 Tuten scored a 2-yard touchdown, with another 2-point conversion to Stephen Gosnell. This put both teams at a 23-23 tie. At 1:56 Rutgers broke the tie with a 24-yard field goal, winning the game with 26-23.
All of the MVs here in Blacksburg were incredibly honored to be able to meet with and perform with high schoolers, and to also recognize our veterans and current members of the armed forces. We look forward to seeing everyone back in Lane Stadium on Thursday, October 17th against Boston College! As always, Go Hokies!
