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#Post#: 55--------------------------------------------------
The Highlanders Come Out on Top
By: adityalakhani1 Date: October 8, 2012, 5:49 pm
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The Highlanders Come Out on Top by Aditya Lakhani '13
Homecoming. Floats, banners, barbeques, competitions between
the grades, and school spirit are all evoked by this word.
Although all of these events are part of the annual homecoming
ceremony at Herricks, the biggest, the center of attention every
year, is the football game. For the first time in three years,
the game was held at the Herricks High School field instead of
Tully Park, bringing a new feeling of spirit and home to the
game.
By a quarter to 5, the bleachers were filled, the parking lot
was packed, people were buying food and drinks, and parents,
teachers, teenagers, and kids were all awaiting the main event
of the night. As the game was about to kick off, baby powder
bottles moved through the crowd, each spectator taking a puff in
their hands, continuing and cementing the tradition begun last
year. Each individual letter of BELIEVE was painted on the
bodies of the high school seniors. The band played songs to pump
up the audience. Ajin Varghese, a senior in the pep band said
that “playing at home gave a new feeling to Homecoming. While
playing in the band, I could feel the spirit from the audience.
It was great.” A few plays into the game, powder was thrown into
the air and fell for what seemed like ages, augmenting the
school spirit and good feelings felt by everyone, transforming
people’s hair to blend in with the white out. The crowd stood on
its feet, watching the game with intent, cheering on the players
and holding up signs.
Despite the plight of the football team in previous games, with
a 0-4 record this season, and the skeptical feelings of some
people that the football team would not win, as it had not won
on homecoming in six years, immense school spirit was still
present at the games. But as the Highlanders would prove, all
hope was not gone, as they would pull of an amazing victory.
After one of the first plays of the game led to a fumble by
Herricks, the dismayed crowd kept cheering, and as Calhoun
neared the touchdown, hope was waning. But that was before
Calhoun fumbled the ball, causing a run down the field by the
Highlanders, with immense rushing yards and great catches by
wide receivers, as a touchdown run by Mike Pitre put the
Highlanders up 6-0; this led to jumping in the stands, cheering,
and a new vibe to the game.
As the first quarter flew by with hectic chants, cheers, and
more, the second quarter settled in at a calmer pace, but still
filled with cheers and action. Long catches and great runs,
along with an injury of a Calhoun player (hopefully he was
okay), were all highlights of the quarter. Things were looking
bright for the Highlanders, which seemed like they were going to
carry a 6-0 lead going into halftime, but at the end of the
quarter, Calhoun managed to score a field goal, narrowing the
score to 6-3.
As soon as the clock struck halftime, some people went to get
food and drinks and returned to the stands in a rush, and after
a performance by the cheerleaders, the homecoming king and queen
were announced. Action never stopped as shirts were flung into
the audience and cheers resonated through the audience. Even a
wave was attempted at one point in the game.
As the second half kicked off, the situation got scary real
quick for the Highlanders. Calhoun rushed up the field in what
felt like no time; however, as they neared the touchdown mark,
the Herricks defense managed to sack the quarterback deep behind
the line, preventing a potentially devastating touchdown. At the
end of the 3rd, the Highlanders managed to get a fumble and
receive the ball near their touchdown, and as the third quarter
came to a close, the crowd awaited to see the fate of the team.
At the beginning of the fourth, the second touchdown of the
game finally came to fruition on a touchdown pass, from Adrian
Kwan to Chris Rivera, and the crowd was exhilarated to see the
lead go 12-3. With 4 minutes to go, Calhoun neared the touchdown
mark, and on 4th down, they decided to go for a field goal. But
no field goal for them: the Highlanders defense came to the
rescue as Mark Holuka blocked the field goal.
At the 2-minute mark, many spectators came down off the
bleachers, preparing to storm the field in the anticipated
victory. However, there was an end of the game scare. With 1:24
left on the board, Calhoun rushed up the field and scored a
touchdown, making the score 12-9. Now all the Highlanders had to
do was keep the ball safe as the clock wound down, second by
second. Fans watched in anticipation, and as the Highlanders
came through for the victory, thrilled fans invaded the field.
One of the captains and stars of the game, Mike Pitre summed up
the night well. “We saw the homecoming game as being a great
opportunity to not just win homecoming under the lights on our
own home field in front of our fans but also as our chance to
beat a decent Calhoun team and turn our season around. The
atmosphere was amazing. There was high energy all around … and
our big win just gave the night a perfect ending.”
Meanwhile, Herricks had just gotten their first homecoming
victory in six years and the first victory of the football
season. It was a night to remember for the seniors and the
football team, and it put minds to rest the day before the
SAT’s. Hopefully, this trend of winning continues for years to
come. All in all, congratulations to the Highlanders; thanks for
making this a Homecoming to remember!
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