B ob Souza has coached football at St. Sebastian’s School in Needham for 35 years, and he’s had a number of great teams. Championship teams. Undefeated teams. But even among those exceptional groups, he says, this year’s squad has stood out.

When the Arrows defeated Thayer Academy last week, 14-13, to secure an undefeated regular season (8-0) and clinch a share of the Independent School League title (with Governor’s Academy), the coach’s emotions flowed freely.