I am not a football fan. Many people would consider that blasphemy and demand that I repent for my sins against the American spirit. Honestly, game has never managed to enthrall me until the Red Lion vs. Dallastown game on November 4. The annual rivalry game changed the way I see football and school spirit.
Before this year, the players were just numbers to me, without names or faces. I did not know enough about the team or the game to become passionate.
I have felt obligated to go to one football game every year of my high school career. I would show up for the homecoming game and then consider my annual quota fulfilled. I was never really invested in the football culture until I started following the story of the team and their tale of commitment and determination.
Before this year, the players were just numbers to me, without names or faces. I did not know enough about the team or the game to become passionate.
I have felt obligated to go to one football game every year of my high school career. I would show up for the homecoming game and then consider my annual quota fulfilled. I was never really invested in the football culture until I started following the story of the team and their tale of commitment and determination.
This is an opinion piece that shows my ability to declare a position on a topic, in this case high school football, and strengthen my argument. I used personal anecdotes and experiences, as well as facts, to support my position.
All of that changed with my senior year of high school. Now, I can finally name most of the varsity players on the team. The varsity lineup is a part of my own class, who has gone through high school with me.
Seeing the players in my everyday school life made me realize that they are more than numbers on a field. They are students who have the immense task of carrying the entire school’s hopes on their shoulders every Friday night.
With all of the excitement surrounding the rivalry game against Dallastown, it was impossible to ignore the hype and spirit in the air. The whole school was excited and confident that we would go undefeated.
So, I stopped fighting the atmosphere of enthusiasm and went to the game. I dragged a few friends along and decided that I would commit to staying for the entire game, which was a first in my high school career.
I was quickly caught up in a tale as old as time when two bitter rivals ran onto the field for the last time. Red Lion players fought for a perfect season while their Dallastown opponents tried to snatch it out of their hands. Bodies clashed time and time again, hoping to gain a few precious yards. But the Lions showed they were there to win with a touchdown in the first minutes of the game.
The whole crowd went wild. Spectators decked out in black and gold danced, high-fived, and screamed at the top of their lungs for the Lions. The celebration set the tone for the rest of the game.
Even though I was completely lost on what was happening on the field, the crowd’s energy was too infectious to fight. I cheered, clapped, and celebrated when everyone else did. For once, I let myself scream with the masses and I had never had so much fun at a sporting event.
Not only did I have fun, but I earned an appreciation for the players, cheerleaders, band members, and staff that make this event possible every Friday night. Once every week, the football team goes out onto the field and gives us someone to root for.
Even a football cynic like me can appreciate what the team does for our school. Regardless of whether the players are undefeated or winless, they represent hope and spirit for the Red Lion community.
Seeing the players in my everyday school life made me realize that they are more than numbers on a field. They are students who have the immense task of carrying the entire school’s hopes on their shoulders every Friday night.
With all of the excitement surrounding the rivalry game against Dallastown, it was impossible to ignore the hype and spirit in the air. The whole school was excited and confident that we would go undefeated.
So, I stopped fighting the atmosphere of enthusiasm and went to the game. I dragged a few friends along and decided that I would commit to staying for the entire game, which was a first in my high school career.
I was quickly caught up in a tale as old as time when two bitter rivals ran onto the field for the last time. Red Lion players fought for a perfect season while their Dallastown opponents tried to snatch it out of their hands. Bodies clashed time and time again, hoping to gain a few precious yards. But the Lions showed they were there to win with a touchdown in the first minutes of the game.
The whole crowd went wild. Spectators decked out in black and gold danced, high-fived, and screamed at the top of their lungs for the Lions. The celebration set the tone for the rest of the game.
Even though I was completely lost on what was happening on the field, the crowd’s energy was too infectious to fight. I cheered, clapped, and celebrated when everyone else did. For once, I let myself scream with the masses and I had never had so much fun at a sporting event.
Not only did I have fun, but I earned an appreciation for the players, cheerleaders, band members, and staff that make this event possible every Friday night. Once every week, the football team goes out onto the field and gives us someone to root for.
Even a football cynic like me can appreciate what the team does for our school. Regardless of whether the players are undefeated or winless, they represent hope and spirit for the Red Lion community.