'Perfect day for football': Fans flock to Polar Park as Holy Cross routs Bucknell

WORCESTER — It was an absolute gorgeous day for football in the Canal District.

And Holy Cross made the most of it.

The ninth-ranked Crusaders romped past Patriot League rival Bucknell, 57-0, in the second EBW Classic Saturday at Polar Park.

Holy Cross remains undefeated at 6-0 after its dominating performance.

It helped that 7,658 fans were in attendance, too.

“I thought it was great,” Holy Cross Bob Chesney said of the overall experience.

While the players praised the atmosphere at Polar Park, playing a home game away from Fitton Field did have challenges for the Crusaders. Chesney explained it was a bit different with both teams on the same sideline, especially when tempers started to flare.

The sun setting behind the ballpark also was a bit of a challenge in the first quarter.

Holy Cross finished with its largest shutout victory since a 60-0 win over Fort Totten in 1942. It was fitting that the Crusaders posted a “no-hitter” at Polar Park.

“It feels like you’re playing for the city of Worcester,” said running back Jordan Fuller, who rushed for 59 yards, including two touchdowns. “When you’re up the hill on Fitton, obviously you’re playing for Worcester, but it’s a Holy Cross vibe. Then when you’re playing here, it feels like you’re representing (Worcester) a little bit more.”

Even before Polar Park was completed in time for the 2021 WooSox season, principal owner Larry Lucchino promised the facility would be available for other events, including football. Holy Cross enjoyed tremendous success in year one of the EBW Classic and the second event did not disappoint Saturday.

“We’re hoping to put on display the versatility of the ballpark, so people who come here will recognize it’s more than a ballpark and a nice place to spend an autumn afternoon to drink beer and watch football,” Lucchino said. “Its versatility increases the value to Worcester and the colleges.”

Fans flock to Polar Park

More than four hours before kickoff, fans were already tailgating around the ballpark. A sea of purple made its way around the Canal District before, during and after Holy Cross’ victory.

WooSox executive vice president/general manager Dan Rea looked over the field at Polar Park and was thrilled with the event.

“This is one of the signature events on our non-baseball calendar,” he said. “Anytime you can put 7,000 to 8,000 people in a ballpark on a non-baseball day says something about the market. We’re excited, and we’re grateful that Holy Cross has been a good partner with us, and to have our second consecutive sellout in our first two years is a great accomplishment.”

It was fitting for Lucchino to honor the life of Edward Bennett Williams, one of the most prominent Holy Cross alums, during a pregame ceremony. Lucchino presented Williams’ son, Tony, with a ceremonial football.

The Crusaders dominated from start to finish.

“It’s a fun place to play,” said quarterback Matthew Sluka, who threw for 183 yards, including three touchdowns. “We have a lot of support from the community and the school. Friends and family love to come to this game. Overall, it was a great experience.”

Holy Cross certainly enjoyed the home-field advantage at Polar Park.

Local businessman Ed Russo, who was instrumental in the relocation of the team to Worcester, is thrilled the WooSox kept their promise to make Polar Park a community facility year round.

“It’s extremely important that they committed to the community, and it shows they followed through,” Russo said. “We might not have a concert this year, but we have football and other events, and I’m sure next year we’ll see a concert.”

'Perfect day' for football

Russo, who attends most WooSox games in his suite along the third base side, hosted several Holy Cross fans Saturday.

“This is the perfect day for football,” he said. “There’s a little chill in the air, the sun is shinning in downtown Worcester, and there’s nothing better than this.”

The gridiron action continues today at Polar Park as Assumption hosts Franklin Pierce at noon, before Worcester Tech faces Assabet Valley at 4 p.m. in the Hometeam Game of the Week.

“Having high school football here is a good statement for the ballpark, and having another college game with Assumption playing here, as one of our corporate founding partners, will be a nice moment,” Rea said. “It’s a whole weekend of busy, ballpark activity. The life and energy in the Canal District, even after the (WooSox) season shows what this ballpark can do for the area.”

Safe to say football at Polar Park will become a longstanding tradition in the Canal District after another successful event.

Chesney admitted as he walked around the city this week he could feel a different vibe about the upcoming game. Fans, even his dry cleaner, were telling him how excited they were for the game at Polar Park.

“People were so excited,” he said. “When you have a good football team, and we’re engaged in the community, and we want to be engaged in the community. Everybody watched this be a baseball field all summer, and now to watch their hometown team that happens to be ranked in the top 10 in the country, play and put on a performance like that, I hope next year it draws even more.”

Contact Joe McDonald at JMcDonald2@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @JoeyMacHockey

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Holy Cross' football romp over Bucknell is resounding hit at Polar Park