Phillips Andover finds its footing to win Adams’s debut

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 20, 2026

Phillips Andover defeated Hotchkiss 28-23, earning coach Ernie Adams his first victory at his alma mater in a closely fought game marked by multiple lead changes. The win highlights Adams’s promising start to coaching after a notable NFL career and sets the stage for the team to build on their balanced offensive and defensive performances.

Phillips Andover secured a 28-23 victory over Hotchkiss on Saturday, marking the first coaching win for Ernie Adams at his alma mater. The closely contested game unfolded at Phillips Andover’s home field and featured several lead changes and pivotal plays down to the final moments.

Hotchkiss struck early, building a 14-0 advantage in the second quarter. Tight end Isaac Oberting, a Harvard-bound player, accounted for both early touchdowns. His second score, a 30-yard run after breaking multiple tackles, extended the Bearcats’ lead.

Phillips Andover responded before halftime, rallying to tie the game at 14-14. Senior running back Ubie Zaid opened the scoring for the Big Blue with a 14-yard touchdown run. Junior transfer quarterback Landon Husereau, who holds the Rhode Island high school record for passing touchdowns from his time at Westerly, then found senior receiver Will Mascena for a 28-yard touchdown pass, leveling the score entering the break.

The second half saw Phillips Andover emphasize its rushing attack. Zaid and running back Jun combined on several key runs, with Zaid finishing a drive with a 9-yard touchdown to give his team the lead. Zaid credited the offensive line for the team’s ground success, calling them “the heart of the team” following his two-touchdown performance.

Hotchkiss answered late in the third quarter with an 80-yard touchdown pass, regaining the lead. However, Phillips Andover quickly countered in the fourth quarter when Giovanni Rosenfeld caught a 20-yard touchdown pass to retake control.

In the closing minutes, Hotchkiss forced a safety after blocking a punt in Phillips Andover’s end zone, reducing the deficit to three points. Nevertheless, strong defensive plays from Phillips Andover, including a sack by senior Caden Schrock and a critical tackle by Armani Baptista-Perira, halted the Bearcats’ final attempt to score.

Adams, who previously served as research director for the New England Patriots and is a longtime confidant of his classmate Bill Belichick, reflected on the victory as a positive start to his coaching tenure. “We’ve got plenty of things to work on, but we made enough plays to win,” he said.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.