By Abby Hite, Staff Writer
It’s the classic high school experience: “Friday Night Lights” shine down on the bleachers full of spirited fans as they cheer on the Nighthawks. The score is tied, the clock has 30 seconds left, and the fans are growing louder. You look to your right and see the band ready to play. The whistle shrills. The clock is ticking down. Suddenly, the ball is caught by the receiver in the end zone – everything goes quiet. You can hear your heart pumping. The ref throws his hands up and the students rush the field as the game ends and the Nighthawks have won.
This year, First Flight’s football team was scheduled to host only four games, which was a big change from last year’s seven home games. Every year the schools switch game locations to keep it fair, and with the addition of a road game at Norfolk Academy, First Flight got the short end of the stick.
The Nighthawks haven’t been home much, but the team hasn’t let that affect how it plays, especially for senior Parker Sylvia.
“We’re gonna play the best we can no matter where we are,” Sylvia said.
For students like junior Zach Hughes, who go to all the home games, they can be entertaining.
“Coach (Jim) Prince’s ‘I am Somebody’ speech is definitely a go-to for getting the crowd pumped up,” Hughes said.
Away games in places such as Elizabeth City or Norfolk can be too far to travel for students, which impacts the stands.
“It’s really disappointing that our students don’t get to show their pride and enthusiasm,” Sylvia said.“It’s just not the same.”
Not only are the football team and the fans directly impacted by the number of away games, First Flight’s marching band is as well. Friday nights are their opportunity to show off their hard work with their ’80s theme this year.
“Our show this year is very in-depth and detailed and we just want it to be the best it can be,” senior Cassidy Dietz said.
For the cheerleaders, the band is instrumental in getting the crowd excited, especially with the crowd-favorite cheer, “four… more… More…MORE!”
“When the cheerleaders and the band get to do something together, it gets the crowd a lot more hyped up,” Dietz said.
If the students aren’t paying attention to the game, the cheerleaders have to work 10 times harder to get a reaction.
“It’s harder for us to hype up the crowd when they’re not helping us out,” senior Hayley Miller said.
As for the rest of the season, First Flight won an exciting game for Homecoming and have one regular season home game left on Nov.9 against Beargrass.
Junior Abby Hite can be reached at hiteab0304@daretolearn.org.
