“ROAR!” The crowd roars alongside the Panther as the wide receiver sprints into the end zone!
“SAUCON VALLEY SCORES A TOUCHDOWN!!” The football players yell in celebration, smacking their teammate on the helmet.
It’s the homecoming game, students are dressed in all black, watching as the game commences. Homecoming is one of the biggest events of the school year. It is common that the week of the game holds exciting events for the students. Some of these events include dressing up according to the theme, a bonfire, and an annual pep rally. These events are a build up to the big game. However, the football players may be feeling different towards the game. Are they hyped? Nervous? Confident?
This year the homecoming game is against Pen Argyl. According to Maxprep, Pen Argyl has won three games and lost the other four. The only teams they won against were Palmerton, Wilson, and Salisbury. So far this season, Saucon Valley has a record of 6-1. Many games were won by a landslide.
“I think we have a good chance. I’m going to prepare by drinking a lot of water and getting a lot of rest,” current freshman Parker Skoda commented. He plays safety and wide receiver.
The chances are looking pretty good for the team. In these past few months they’ve seen a great deal of success. “We have been playing well as a team and really taking everything week by week. We need to continue to get better each week so I am excited to see us have an opportunity to do that,” said the head coach of the team, Anthony Birckley.
The positive outlook on the season is also tinged with a little bit of sadness. This game is the last homecoming game for many seniors.
Caleb Grimm is a current senior who plays as a defensive end, linebacker, and offensive tackle. “It snuck up really fast, but it’s always a game you can never forget. … You prepare the same way you always do and you can’t treat it any different,” Grimm said.
Joey Griffith, current senior, defensive end and guard, added, “It’s bittersweet. I wish we’d go against a better team, but I know we’re going to win.”
As Griffith said, this game, like many homecoming games, is bittersweet. For some, this is their first homecoming, for others it is their last. No matter what, these events will always be cherished memories.
