The captain had to do just that—though not often—when the Leopards and their starting tight end Tim Walsh came to town on Saturday. Balestracci and Walsh, both seniors, were classmates and teammates at New Bedford High School in New Bedford, Mass.
“This season’s been a lot of fun for me,” Balestracci said. “I got to play against both my brothers and one of my best friends from home.”
Balestracci’s two younger brothers play for Brown and Holy Cross, so the senior is now 3-0 against friends and family.
Still, both players put on a show for the hometown crowd that came out in full force. Walsh had four catches for 56 yards and his first two TDs of the season, while Balestracci posted nine tackles, two of which went for a loss.
It was the first time the two have played against each other, as Balestracci was sidelined during the 2001 meeting with an ankle injury.
—Staff writer Lande A. Spottswood can be reached at spottsw@fas.harvard.edu.