By Emily Iannaconi
Special to GoHolyCross.com
It is not often that student-athletes have the opportunity to play together throughout both high school and college. But three senior members of the Holy Cross football team – safety and co-captain Luke Ford, offensive lineman James Murray and quarterback and co-captain Peter Pujals – have been teammates for what will soon be eight years. They played together at Loyola Academy in Wilmette, Ill., for four years before coming to Holy Cross. During that time, the three have become close friends on and off the football field.
While playing at Loyola Academy, Pujals (#6) attempts a pass, while Ford (#8) runs with the ball in front of Murray (#73).
FROM MIDDLE SCHOOL TO COLLEGE
Ford and Pujals have been friends almost their entire lives, as they began attending school together in the first grade and lived only five minutes apart. They started their football careers as teammates in the fifth grade, and went on to serve as captains together in both middle school and high school. “Looking back at it now, it is a very unique and rare situation to have played together so long,” said Pujals. “When we were kids, we never even thought about still being teammates 10 years later.”
In the ninth grade, the pair met Murray at Loyola Academy. “We actually played against his grade school in football and basketball,” said Pujals. “Then when we went to high school we became friends and teammates.” Entering their senior year of high school, they were all trying to decide where they would continue their football and academic careers.
Both Pujals and Ford actually received the offer to play at Holy Cross on the same day and then committed around the same time. “When I decided to attend Holy Cross it was really amazing because Luke and I both knew we were going to the same place,” said Pujals. “Then Jimmy told us a few months later that he was going to visit schools out East and one day in physics class he told me that he was 100 percent sure he was coming to Holy Cross. We always make fun of him and tell him that he followed us here.”
Transitioning from high school to college can sometimes be a very challenging experience, but for Ford it was very helpful to have two of his good friends by his side. “It definitely gave me a level of comfort,” said Ford. “Coming into summer camp and having to do football from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. every day without a break – it was really nice having Peter and Jimmy along for the ride and having someone there to empathize with.”
Pujals, Murray and Ford prior to a workout in the summer of 2016.
FRIENDS ON AND OFF THE FIELD
Ford and Murray were roommates for freshman and sophomore year and will once again be roommates for their senior year. Pujals and Murray were roommates during their junior year. The three have thus grown from being football, basketball and baseball teammates in high school to roommates in college. Their time as roommates as well as teammates has only strengthened their friendships with one another.
"Looking back at it now, it is a very unique and rare situation to have played together so long. When we were kids, we never even thought about still being teammates 10 years later.”
Senior Captain Peter Pujals
“It has been great having Luke and Jimmy around, being able to develop those relationships more and get to know them better,” said Pujals. “I've definitely gotten to know them both more since we've been in college.”
Murray agrees that playing college football has allowed the three to become better friends. “As time has gone on, our friendship pretty much consists of giving each other a hard time,” joked Murray. “We know each other a little bit too well at this point, but that also makes everything a lot more fun.”
Ford echoed the feelings of both Pujals and Murray. “College has really given me the opportunity to get to know them a lot more because you spend so much time together. I'm definitely appreciative of this opportunity to get to know them better because they're two of the best guys you'll ever meet, and I've had a lot of good times with them.”
FRIENDS AND CAPTAINS
Pujals and Ford are excited to lead the team as co-captains this season, with Pujals heading into his third year as a captain. “Luke's a great leader,” said Pujals. “He's always been my friend so it's great to be captains with him. I couldn't ask for a better teammate to be a captain with.”
Ford similarly recognizes that he has a special opportunity to be a captain alongside Pujals who has always had confidence in the team as a whole. “The best part about it is that Peter is an amazing athlete and a tremendous competitor,” said Ford. “He has always been there pushing me along, and I've tried to keep pace with him. He's never been afraid to tell us that we can achieve anything. I think that's something that has always rubbed off on me because there's a difference between cockiness and confidence, and I think that Peter toes that line really well.”
Murray believes that Pujals and Ford will be strong captains together. “They will be great leaders in general,” said Murray. “Peter is going into his third year as captain now, and Luke was a great captain in high school. They're both really driven people, which I think is something that everyone looks up to and respects.”
Ford, Murray and Pujals at football media day in 2014.
LOOKING BACK
As their time together begins to wind down, Murray recalls some of his favorite memories with Ford and Pujals. “I remember being on a freshman basketball team with Luke, and that was pretty hilarious,” said Murray. “Then in baseball, Peter and I didn't really play much at all our freshman year – we pretty much just sat on the bench with each other. Obviously our baseball careers didn't last very long, but that's where our friendship began – on that bench.”
"College has really given me the opportunity to get to know them a lot more because you spend so much time together. I'm definitely appreciative of this opportunity to get to know them better because they're two of the best guys you'll ever meet."
Senior Captain Luke Ford
Pujals recalls that one of his favorite high school memories occurred during his senior year when their team beat Mount Carmel in overtime and Ford, a wide receiver at the time, scored the game-winning touchdown. “We were two of the top teams in the state,” recalled Pujals. “We were the only team that they lost to that year, so that's probably my best memory.”
Ford recognizes that the memories the three share from their time together at Holy Cross are just as valuable as some of their favorite high school moments. “We've always been very tight knit, and we don't really have cliques within our class, so it's always nice to think about all of the memories and all of the experiences we've had together.”
Ford, Murray and Pujals in action during the 2015 season.
THE FINAL SEASON
The three plan to work their hardest to win a Patriot League championship this year and enjoy the time they have left playing together. “This is going to be my last season playing alongside Peter and Luke, and it is the end of eight years together – which is crazy,” admits Murray.
"It's been an unbelievable experience getting to play besides Luke and Peter for this long. There's nothing better than playing next to your friends.”
Senior James Murray
Ford also recognizes that the time is running out not only on his football career but on his opportunity to play alongside two of his best friends. “I think that Jimmy and Peter as players have just been getting better and better as time goes on,” said Ford. “But the time flew by. I know everyone says that, but you never really believe it until it happens to you.”
Murray admits that he is going to miss practicing alongside Ford and Pujals every day. “As the center, I snap it to Peter and then Luke is a safety,” said Murray. “But before every single play, Luke is yelling something to Peter who is giving me calls to make at the line, and I'm pointing at Luke and making jokes. I've only ever blocked for Peter as a quarterback, so I don't really know anything else. It just makes it that much more special."
Pujals is also appreciative of the relationship that he has had the chance to develop with Murray at center over the years. “He was always blocking for me, even in high school. Now with him playing center, it's probably the best relationship I've had with a center before,” said Pujals. “It's really cool having him there.”
Together, Ford, Murray and Pujals have helped each other grow into the players that they are today. “I think we have all pushed ourselves to get better,” said Pujals. “We want to follow each other, get better together, help each other and hold each other accountable.”
The three remain sure that their friendships with one another will not end when the football season is over. “It's been an unbelievable experience getting to play besides Luke and Peter for this long,” added Murray. “There's nothing better than playing next to your friends.”
Though their time together as teammates is ending soon, the three are fully confident that the friendships they have developed will only continue to get stronger over the years to come.
Emily Iannaconi is a senior English major at Holy Cross and covers the New York Giants for Inside Football.
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