By Sophie Johnson, Social Media Editor 

Ah yes, everybody’s favorite time of year has finally arrived: football season. Get your jackets and sweaters down from the attic and get ready for Friday Night Lights. Hamburgers, hot chocolate and the sweet sound of “and that’s enough for a Nighthawk first down!” You’re lying if you say you don’t love a good football game.

But let’s be real here, do students really know how to act at these games? I’m going to start this off by laying some ground rules. First of all, if you’re going to come to a game, at least cheer. Second of all, you don’t have to yell unpleasant names at the opposing team to get the point across. Third, cheer for the cheerleaders. Last but not least, try to stay until the end of the game.

You didn’t pay $6 to sit on the metal bleachers and scroll through Instagram. Besides, wouldn’t you rather sit on your dad’s La-Z-Boy recliner at home and do that? So put down your phone and watch the game. This may be surprising to you, but high school doesn’t last forever, so enjoy every moment while you can. One of the only regrets I have about high school is not going to more sporting events.

I didn’t really want it to come to this, but it’s going to have to happen. Freshman, props to you for coming out your first year of high school, but please stand up and cheer. I’m begging you. Your parents didn’t drive you all the way back to school for the second time today just so you can sit with blank stares. I understand that upperclassmen seem mean and intimidating because I was once in your shoes. But trust me, we don’t bite. Most of us are pretty nice.

When I say most of us, I don’t mean all of us. Is it funny to bully players now? Please don’t yell mean names at opposing teams. You’re just embarrassing yourself and giving First Flight a bad name. Like my dad once told me, their parents may be sitting right behind you. The only thing you’re getting out of yelling names is a couple of laughs from your pals and maybe a fight in the parking lot after the game. This also goes for the referees. They don’t get paid very much, so they’re out there on their own time calling all the plays. I understand that it gets aggravating when they don’t make a good call, but they also do make good calls. Yelling at them will just make them favor the other team and make even more bad calls! Let them do their job and remember that they’re people, too.

My third part of this lesson is cheerleaders. I personally believe they’re unappreciated. Going to a football game also includes hyping up the cheerleaders. When the Nighthawks score a touchdown they always do as many back handsprings as the score is. Some of them can do about 20 at a time. Also, when they do cheers with the crowd I feel like I’m the only one doing them sometimes. All you have to do is yell back “white” or “one” – pretty simple.

Last but not least, let’s talk about leaving games early. Imagine playing a game that you’ve been practicing for all week, or being in the talent show and looking up to see everyone had gotten up and left. That would feel pretty crushing, right? The team puts in hard work all summer and every day after school to play one or two games a week. They’re playing for you, so stay until the end of the game and clap no matter the outcome. Especially with only four home games this year, they really need your support.

This doesn’t just go for football games. It applies to every sporting event. I hope you take my advice to heart and come out and support your Nighthawks. I’m serious – ask any senior and they’ll tell you that high school flew by.

Senior Sophie Johnson can be reached at johnsonso0628@daretolearn.org.