You can almost hear those words echoing in the wind around Roberts Field to this day, coming from the mouth of one of four Bunker boys (two pairs of cousins), as they would stand by the side of the Masconomet football captain, Keith Koster, in 2003.

The youngest of four brothers who all contributed to the Masconomet football program, Keith has been missed by the entire football community and all who knew him since his 2006 death. To honor his memory, his family established the Keith Koster Memorial Scholarship Award.

The award recognizes “a player who reaches out to teammates, who supports his team and is a total team player,” all qualities that Keith epitomized before graduating in 2004.

Drew Bunker, a starter at the right guard position after previously being a quarterback for nine years, was joined by two other finalists for the award — Steve Sylvia and Mike Hutchinson. The original nominees are put in front of a committee including past winners Andrew Dyer and T.C. Mannetta, former teammates of Keith Koster, members of his family and other Tri-Town community members.

“They select three finalists, and take those three out to dinner, where they interview them,” said Pugh. “Then, they make a final decision.”

“[Keith’s brother] Kevin was there at the dinner, and two of Keith’s friends also,” said Drew. “Those guys are who we’re playing for. Masco pride. I saw them play and how much passion they played Masconomet football with. His brother [Kevin’s] team started Masco football back into regular winning records, and it culminated with Keith’s team’s trip to the Super Bowl in 2003.

The choice of Bunker was certainly a good one in the eyes of Pugh, who praised Hutchinson and Sylvia for their fine seasons. Sylvia won the Coaches Award for the 2008 football season.

“Drew did a great job over his career,” said Pugh. “This year, he was an offensive guard, after he was a quarterback all his life. On top of that, he has always been a leader, always a very polite, respectful kid.

“The kids really look up to him and respect him,” Pugh added. “The senior class, in particular, ha s a close bond with each other. Drew has always been right at the center and the core of that. Our JV and freshman coaches tell me that, even at those levels, and before that in 3^rd-grade and 5^th-grade football, he’s always kept the kids focused.”

Bunker tries to keep things light, so as not to unnecessarily intimidate the younger kids in the Chieftains program.

“Through small talk, I got to know other kids and the kids I got to go against,” said Bunker. “You’re hitting the kids everyday, and when you’re young, you’re kind of looking up at these big kids. I didn’t want to make it seem like I was going to use my seniority at all, or make them feel unwelcome.”

For his play at guard, Pugh felt Drew was overlooked for a spot on the All-League team.

Steve Bunker, Drew’s father and the football team’s strength and conditioning coach, felt there were a lot of fair comparisons that could be made between Keith and Drew.

“Both were quarterbacks going into their senior year, and both had to move to other positions for the good of the team — with Chris Splinter being a great athlete, you weren’t going to keep him from the quarterback position,” said Steve.

Add to that the fact that both boys came from big football families in town. Bryan, Ricky and Kevin Koster preceded Keith on Jim Pugh’s football teams, while Drew’s older brother Craig and his cousin Eric were stars of the 2006 football squad. Drew’s cousin Evan was named to the Cape Ann League All-League team as a running back this past season.

“The Koster boys were tenacious boys, and my brother and I tried to raise our boys the same way — tough on the field, gentlemen off the field,” added Steve. “Our family thought it was really quite an honor for him to receive that.”

His cousin Eric, who played football for Amherst College, was proud of his cousin when he heard the news coming out of the Jan. 11 football banquet at Jimmy’s Allenhurst in Danvers.

“He worked so hard on the field and in the classroom, and now he’s going to Wake Forest University,” said Eric. “I knew Keith, and I’m happy to see Drew win the award.”

Drew figures his competitive football career is over, and he’s looking forward to playing club lacrosse at Wake Forest University, located in Winston-Salem, N.C.

“Lacrosse is a big tradition. My brother [Craig] really got me into it,” Drew added. “The warmer weather is definitely something I looked at, but they also have very good business and chemistry majors, two things that I want to look into.” 

Chieftains football awards

Masconomet football held its annual banquet on Jan. 11 at Jimmy’s Allenhurst. The following are the award winners:

• Drew Bunker was selected as the recipient of the prestigious Keith Koster Award (see story about Drew Bunker)

• Dan Clark won the Jim Bunker Humanitarian Award for community service and success as a player.

• Steve Sylvia was selected for the Coaches Award.

• Clay Cleveland was selected by his teammates as the Team Award winner (MVP).