Written By: Hannah Nasluchacz, Thatiana Smith, Malia Douglas, Staff Writers
GAME ON: Poly and King students cheer on their teams in hopes of winning this year’s rivalry game.
The morning of the rivalry game, Poly students were ecstatic. Throughout the day the green and orange clothed students bounced in excitement as they awaited the game. Poly’s pep rally was held on the new Polywood Bowl stage during lunch. It consisted of the pep squad dancing, the band playing, and ASB (Associated Student Body) promoting school spirit for the rivalry football game against King High School.
On King’s campus, everyone’s energy was rising, especially the seniors. Braden Rosa (12), Kings ASB President, was “excited to go out there and enjoy one last rivalry game.” King’s freshmen were also thrilled to get to experience a rivalry game for the first time.
As it neared game time, rain started pouring, but nonetheless, students and families still came to watch and support both teams. Lining the Poly end zone were mounds of orange students chanting the schools known cheer, Green Machine, while on the other side the red wolves, were praying for a win.
During the pre-game activities, the student sections were bustling with people dancing, laughing, and having fun. Poly student Pierre Schwabe (12), explains that the rivalry game “symbolizes years of friendship despite rivalry.” Rivals always have something that brings them together, like Romeo and Juliet, Poly and King share their love for football. Another Poly student, Gabriel Alvarado (11), thinks that the rivalry “symbolizes the two big egos the schools have”, but are willing to set it aside to play each other.
With the first half done, and Poly losing pretty badly, the Poly students were not as hopeful as King’s students – who were jumping with joy. King student Jorja Barrett (12), points out her disappointment about not seeing “more of a nail biter game so far, but [she’s] excited to see what happens next.” Poly student Kaleigh Cassidy (10) explained that the game is “very wet and cold and we’re losing pretty badly.”
Although King took the lead early, some students were hopeful. Estella Gettis (11), focused more on Poly Pride, pointing out that “it looked like there was a lot of spirit so it looked like it was going pretty good.” Others had their favorite moments of the game. Pepper Petersen (11), remembers her favorite moment during the game; when Poly “scored the first touchdown.” Leaving the students and parents amazed at the players’ hard work. As the game came to a close with the score of 7 to 38, Poly students, faculty, and families were sad with the loss. Jennie White (11) tells us that she “was disappointed because [she] thought Poly was going to win.”
Poly Football Coach, John Rice, proudly recounts his team’s “resilience against adversity,” describing how most of the starters were out on injury, so many members of the team stepped up and came through to support their school.
Even when the weather tries to slow us down, Poly Pride preservers. Junior cheerleader, Brianna Moe, says the best way to keep going during a game when the boys are losing is to “just stay positive and hope for the best.” Our cheerleaders did a phenomenal job of keeping the student section loud and engaged during the entire game. The rain made it a very memorable experience for many of the students. Through rain and sunshine, our students cheered, screamed and rooted for our boys with the Poly way
