Friday Knight Lights
The return to school after a long, much-needed summer vacation is rough. There’s nothing really to look forward to unless you’re a fan of homework and getting up at 6 AM. Well, except Friday night football games–those are a hit.
“We are going to surprise a lot of people,” said senior Ivan Stapchuck, one of the Knight’s captains.
The Knights, led by Coach Frank Whalen, are hoping to make playoffs this year, the first time since 2012. Everyone loved Coach King, but with the new coaching staff (and a fresh set of ideas), playoffs may just be possible.
“They [coaches] all come in with lots of knowledge,” said Stapchuck. “They put us through workouts and drills every day to make us better.”
The football team isn’t the only group to watch on the field Friday nights. The marching band, led by band director Ricardo Hayden, has a lot of exciting things in store.
“…our kids have a lot of heart, soul, energy and enthusiasm and put out a nice sound,” said Mr. Hayden. “We focus on quality not quantity.”
The loss of many valuable seniors hasn’t hurt the band at all–they plan on performing an outstanding halftime show that appeals to all ages. Opening with “25 or 6 to 4” by Chicago, the band will play classics such as, “Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis, “New World Symphony” by Antonin Dvorak (for the musicians in the audience), and for the younger generation, “Bang, Bang” by Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj.
“We really enjoy playing in the stands at games and at pep-rallies to support our sports teams,” said Mr. Hayden. “We always appreciate the support and comradery that we share with the football team and their coaches.”
It’s not just the instrumentalists that are working hard; without the auxiliaries, who will play the important roles of twirling fire or throwing rifles, metal sticks, and legs up in the air?
“With the added choreography, flags, batons and pom-poms, they really add the glitz, glamour, sparkle and pop to our music and drill,” said Mr. Hayden.
The football games are so popular to students mostly because of the excitement of the student section. Graduate Jackson McKee passed on the torch to senior Ben McMillen, who plans to take advantage of his role as student section leader.
“We’re going to keep tailgating before games and carry on some of the chants from last year (Harambe)”, said McMillen. “Of course the annual Sheetz run after the games will continue.”
McMillen started his reign on the Friday, September 8th football game with USA theme.
“Everyone comes out and gets pumped for not only the football team but also our country,” he said.
Students can get notifications about themes and information regarding the student section @khsstudents2018 on Twitter or by finding McMillen in the halls.
“Get loud, stay loud,” he said. “The Mars football game is home this year, so let’s show them that not only our football team but our students are better than them.”