Navy football’s current seniors have different memories than those from bygone eras.
The Class of 2023 came through the Naval Academy during the heart of a worldwide pandemic. Every midshipman in history has endured hardships along the way, but those were magnified tenfold by the circumstances brought on by the coronavirus.
In an effort to prevent widespread infections, the Naval Academy leadership imposed tough, some might say harsh, restrictions. All those that tested positive for COVID were placed in isolation for two weeks or more.
So when starting tackle and offensive captain Kip Frankland is asked to reflect on his time at the academy, one of the memories he mentions involves a stint in isolation along with fellow offensive linemen Luca Fratianne, Darrellson Masaniai and Brandon Moore.
“We often talk about that great two-week experience,” said Frankland, who also mentioned the “horrible meals” that were delivered to the dormitory rooms in Bancroft Hall.
Starting outside linebacker Nicholas Straw shared a similar story, recalling what happened seven games into the 2020 season. Following a road loss to SMU, the Navy travel squad returned to the academy with busloads of players infected with the virus.
Virtually the entire team was placed in isolation and the season was shut down. Navy would not play another game for almost a month as a result.
“We couldn’t practice, couldn’t go to the weight room,” said Straw, noting that members of the strength and conditioning staff would leave kettlebells outside the dorm rooms so players could work out.
“We were allotted 40 minutes of free time outside per day, so we would have the entire team come together to play basketball. I would sneak over to watch practice through the fence,” Straw added. “No other Navy football player can say that during the middle of the season they were put into isolation for a couple weeks. That was a crazy time, for sure.”
There is no doubt life was miserable at the Naval Academy starting in March 2020 and lasting almost two years. It was a dark, difficult time that greatly reduced the Navy football roster with 32 members of the current senior class leaving the program — most transferring elsewhere.
For the 25 seniors that stayed until the end, there is a bond that is stronger than usual. Getting through the academy amidst a pandemic is something only the most recent senior class can truly understand.
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“Obviously, it was the shared adversity we experienced. Going through COVID brought our crew closer together in so many ways,” Frankland said. “That shared experience of those times and being able to unite around the common cause of leading this football team through these ups and downs.”
Coach Ken Niumatalolo always gets emotional during the senior day celebration. This year’s ceremony, being held prior to Saturday’s Homecoming game against Temple, will be particularly special.
“All the seniors that stuck it out until the end are tough suckers. I have a ton of respect for our seniors that battled through all that and are still here,” Niumatalolo said. “Every year I feel this class is the most memorable. I really feel that way about this group because of all that they had to deal with during their careers.”
There were plenty of good times along the way. Frankland will never forget fellow offensive lineman Joe Petti falling through one of the tiles on what is known as “red beach” — a plaza walkway between Bancroft Hall and Dahlgren Hall.
It was Induction Day at the Naval Academy and Petti was leading a group of plebe football players to their first “pep” workout. He sprained an ankle in the incident and wound up on crutches.
“We still giggle about that,” Frankland said.
Frankland also will never forget the first big win of his career. It came against Air Force in 2019 and his roommate, kicker Bijan Nichols, booted a crucial field goal. As a Tennessee native, Frankland has fond memories of being part of the travel squad for the Liberty Bowl that capped that great season in which the Midshipmen posted an 11-2 record.
“That whole bowl week was one of the most fun times I’ve had,” he said.
Straw thinks about the football players having to figure out how to participate in various strength and conditioning workouts while wearing masks. He remembers dealing with the daily testing and abiding by a lengthy list of protocols throughout the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
“I really appreciate those guys that stayed because we’re that much tighter and have such a strong bond because of the shared struggle of going through COVID together,” Straw said. “I felt like if we can get through that together, we can do anything.”
Outside linebacker and defensive captain John Marshall admitted there were “a lot of long, dark nights” and said he wouldn’t have remained at the academy without great support.
“I relied on the people I was closest with — my parents, my twin brother and girlfriend, my roommates and close friends at the academy,” Marshall said. “Also, realizing there was a bigger picture. I knew COVID would go away eventually, even though it was dreadfully slow.”
Frankland, Marshall and Straw are among only five senior starters and most of their classmates must contribute in other ways. Six — Derek Atwaters, Bijan Nichols, Brandon Madison, Mike Mauai, Taylor Robinson and Jamie Romo — have been sidelined by injury most of the season. Twin brothers Josh and Terrell Adams are among a handful of seniors that play on special teams. Wide receiver Christian Hutchinson and defensive end Jacobi Rice are seniors serving on scout team.
“Those guys have my utmost respect because it’s hard to be a scout team player for your entire team here,” Straw said. “Those guys are the best to go out there every day and strap it on to help the team get better.”
Hutchinson and Rice will both graduate without having appeared in a single varsity game. Others in their positions would have hung up the helmet in order to focus on the demanding academic and military responsibilities of the academy. However, both take pride in being members of the Navy football team regardless of their role.
“Just because I don’t play doesn’t mean I’m going to quit the team. This is my family and these are my brothers. We started at the prep school together and I would never just give up and leave them,” said Hutchinson, who plays wide receiver or tight end for the scout team.
Hutchinson and Rice are the leaders of the offensive and defensive scout teams, motivating and encouraging the sophomores and plebes to perform at a high level.
“I think the biggest thing I can bring to the table is to help the plebes understand the importance of the scout team and how specific we need to be with the cards we’re shown,” Hutchinson said. “I have a big role in guiding them in terms of effort, how hard they need to go and the little details.”
Petti served on the scout team for 2 1/2 seasons before being promoted to the offensive practice field. The New York native did not see any varsity action until this season when he was put on the point after touchdown/field goal unit. Frankland applauded his close friend for being the epitome of perseverance.
“Joe paid his dues, worked his butt off in the weight room and did whatever he could to get on the field. It’s paid off and it’s been awesome to see him go out and play good football,” Frankland said.
Despite many disappointments, Petti never lost sight of the ultimate goal of making the traveling team. He had many long discussions with offensive tackles coach Danny O’Rourke and vowed to never give up on that dream.
“I remember telling Coach O’Rourke that I’d rather die than quit playing for this team. I just always had the mentality that I was going to eventually contribute,” Petti said. “It’s awesome to see that something is achievable when you really put your mind to it.”
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