Roll Knights… Or Get Rolling, Knights?

As you all may know, our football/ soccer field was supposed to be redone with turf over the summer.  Obviously, that hasn’t happened yet, and it’s mid September.  Fall sports are in full swing, and we’ve had one home game between girls soccer, boys soccer, and football.  Our senior class, who has been looking forward to being at the top of the school for three years, hasn’t been able to experience home games at the field.

“Obviously it sucks,” senior and student section leader Toby Reynolds said.  

“Some games are an hour plus away,” said senior Jessica Burgard. “The amount of gas I have to use is ridiculous.”

Senior football captain Matthew Carney has been playing football for seven years.  Though the situation with the field isn’t how he imagined it, Carney is staying positive.

“It’s definitely not ideal, but we’ll be sure to make the best of it,” Carney said.

Knochette senior Reilly Huff is feeling similarly to Carney.  She has been in Knochettes for five years.

“I’m honestly so devastated,” Huff said. “It’s disheartening to know I won’t be able to enjoy any games on our field.” 

As I was putting this article together, the school announced they would host one home game on Friday, September 23rd.  That game was played against Elizabeth Forward, and it was also senior night.

“I’m ecstatic!  I’m really looking forward to getting to perform on our actual home field and get to have my senior night be where I’ve been performing for the past four years,” Huff said.

These seniors have put so much time and effort into their sports and extracurriculars.  They’ve been practicing and participating for years, many since middle school or even before then.  They’ve been dreaming of what their senior night would be like, never thinking that it could potentially not be at home.

“I think that senior night wouldn’t have felt as special not being at Knoch,” Huff said. “I never thought that it could end up at another school’s field.”

Although our athletes and marching band members are trying to make the best out of a bad situation, many students agree that the school could have hosted a few home games.

“As of September 14th, they still have not started (the field) and we’ve had three games already,” Reynolds said.

Senior and co-student section leader Jake Santora is feeling similarly to Reynolds.

“They could’ve done a better job negotiating with Hampton to have them play on our field, especially since we had a home field soccer game the Tuesday after the away football game,” Santora said.

Though the games are far, freshmen and seniors alike still make the drive, wherever the game may be.  Everyone is loud and cheers in support of the team.

“It’s just awesome to hype up a crowd like that.  The energy is there,” Santora said.

While some are there to hype up the crowd, most others are there to cheer on the team and dress for the theme.

“Dressing up and cheering for the boys is the most exciting part,” Burgard said.

As for the remaining games, the students have one suggestion.

“I would love for the school to bus the students to the football game since there are not any home games,” Burgard said.

As stated earlier, the games are far and it’s difficult to get everyone to games.  However, if you have nothing better to do on a Friday night, Santora has some advice.

“I encourage everyone to go out each Friday to cheer on your Knoch Knights,” Santora said.