CHARGING AHEAD: Hun School football player Tucker Strycharz heads up field in recent action. Last Saturday, post-graduate Strycharz scored a touchdown and made an interception to help Hun defeat Lawrenceville School 46-13. The Raiders, now 6-0 and riding a 19-game winning streak, play at Peddie School (5-1) on October 29. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Tucker Strycharz knows all about night games, having played high school football in Virginia where Friday night lights is the norm.

But when the Hun School football team hosted Lawrenceville last Saturday evening in its first night home game, Strycharz was charged up.

“We get a lot of this where I came from, it was awesome to get back to that,” said Strycharz, a 5’11, 182-pound native of Sterling, Va. “We loved it, the crowd was great so it was a great atmosphere.”

Lawrenceville was fueled by the atmosphere, jumping out to a 7-0 lead.

Strycharz got Hun buzzing as he returned the ensuing kickoff for 82 yards and a touchdown. The Raiders proceeded to roll up a 28-7 lead.

“No matter what, we are going to keep going,” said Strycharz. “I think the team did a great job of not letting the emotions get into their heads and keeping an even keel.”

After the Big Red narrowed the gap to 28-13 at half, emotions ran high for Hun at intermission. “We had some inspiring words in the locker room,” recalled Strycharz.

“They were still in the game, they were doing a great job. We thought we were the better team and we really felt that we could be playing better so we said everyone has got to be doing their jobs and we are going to come out with a win.”

The Raiders did their jobs very well in the second half, outscoring the Big Red 18-0 on the way to a 46-13 victory, improving to 6-0 and posting their 19th straight victory.

The speedy Strycharz contributed 68 yards rushing on seven carries and made one reception for six yards to help spark the balanced Hun offense.

“We have a bunch of athletes so we get everyone in because everyone brings something special,” said Strycharz. “I try to just give it my all on every play. I just want to win, that is it.”

Playing at safety on defense, Strycharz intercepted a pass from Lawrenceville quarterback Campbell Garrett, the nephew of former Princeton University quarterback and current Dallas Cowboys head coach coach Jason Garrett, to set up Hun’s final score of the night.

“That is pretty cool, it was towards the end of the game,” said Strycharz, reflecting on picking off Garrett.

“We kept playing towards the end and we didn’t let up the whole game. I mostly played defense at my old high school. It is fun, we are just out playing football.”

Strycharz is having fun helping the Raiders to their 6-0 start. “I think coach (Todd) Smith makes it a really good environment; he is very detail oriented,” said Strycharz.

“It doesn’t matter if we are not the most athletic team or the biggest team or the fastest team. He really creates an environment where it is a real family. It is really cool to be part of that.”

Being a part of the Hun family on and off the field has been a good experience for Strycharz. “I broke my leg my senior year so I couldn’t play and I needed another year,” said Strycharz.

“I heard about the school. It is a great place from the standpoint of school; the whole environment is really special.”

With Hun playing at Peddie (5-1) on October 29 in a Mid-Atlantic Prep League (MAPL) showdown, Strycharz is hoping that the Raiders produce another special performance.

“We are really excited for that, this was a great team win so we are going to enjoy it,” said Strycharz. “On Monday, we are going to get focused on that one.”