On Jan. 27, the Academic Team accomplished a feat no other team in their league has this year, handing Calvert Hall their first loss of the season by the narrow margin of 29-27.

After defeating Maryvale 25-17, tensions were high for the JC team and everybody seemed nervous.

It was then that Co-Captain Justin Hawkins’ motivational speech before the matches kicked in and instilled courage in his teammates for their final match of the day.

“It was really intense and inspiring,” senior Academic Team member Will Smith said. “[It was] kind of scary too but really cool.”

According to Hawkins, he was channeling Olympic hockey coach Herb Brooks, whose speech was memorialized in the movie “Miracle.”

Coach Robert Schick was unable to watch the game because he was reading the questions for another match, but was overcome with joy after learning about the victory.

“I am so proud of our team. That’s a satisfying victory,” Schick said. “There’s a certain satisfaction that comes with beating the best, and that’s what we did today.”

JC currently stands at number two in the Catholic League, with a record of 7-1 and are currently on a four game winning streak.

“It’s the happiest moment of my life,” Hawkins said.

The team will go on “It’s Academic” this Saturday for the taping of the next episode, having advanced to the second round after defeating Hereford and North Harford High Schools on Oct. 18.

Eric Johnson is a Sports Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.