In a gut-wrenching homecoming game, the Marriotts Ridge football team came up just short, losing to Reservoir 21-24. On the night of September 29, Marriotts Ridge kicked off at 7pm on their home field, beginning what would become a roller coaster of a game.
As the homecoming game is one of the most anticipated events of the year, the athletes on the Marriotts Ridge football team were determined to show out.
“Nobody thought we were going to win; everyone thought we were guaranteed to lose,” says senior defensive end Quinn Cestone.
Attempting to prove their critics wrong, the team was motivated to play their best game of the season.
In a back and forth game, Reservoir and Marriotts Ridge were set up for an exciting finish. Ashton Clark led the offense with multiple explosive touchdowns through the run game. However, Reservoir answered with big plays of their own, including a defensive touchdown coming off of a botched punt.
Towards the end of the fourth quarter, Marriotts Ridge led 21-13, in position to put more points on the board. Unfortunately, a fumble deep in Reservoir territory led to a long drive to tie the game up 21-21.
Marriotts Ridge was unable to capitalize on their final drive, which resulted in an additional fumble. This turnover was the dagger for MRHS, as Reservoir scored a field goal to win the game.
While the game didn’t end as the MRHS football team desired, they did have strengths signifying a bright future for the team.
“We played a great first three quarters,” says junior wide receiver Arha Deshpande, “Just couldn’t finish like we started, and it showed.”
Determined to end the season off strong, the players are using this game for future motivation to get their record above .500.
“If we show up to every game like we did against Reservoir, we will win the majority of our games,” says senior offensive lineman Casey Sullins.
Adding to the energy on the field, the student section was loud from the bleachers. Packed in from top to bottom, students ranging from freshmen to seniors all showed up to support their school’s team. Creating a colorful environment, many students dressed according to the game’s neon theme, showing up in construction vests as well as colorful hats and glasses.
“The neon theme brought a lot of pizzazz to the student section,” says senior Joaquim Leiser.
On the other hand, some students felt the theme was hard to follow without going out to buy new clothes or borrow from a friend.
“I didn’t participate in the theme because I thought it was kind of hard to,” says sophomore Aaron Hammann. “Not a lot of people have neon clothes.”
While not all Marriotts Ridge students agreed on the game’s theme, many felt the same way about its powerful and energetic atmosphere.
“When everyone needed to get loud, they got loud,” says Leiser.
Leading the student sections cheers, the seniors led many of the chants and actions of the underclassmen in the bleachers.
“The atmosphere was electric,” says Hammann.
Many of the seniors were proud of the attendance at the game, as well as the energy the students provided.
“Last year there wasn’t a lot of student morale, so this year we all made an agreement to be better,” says senior Bridget Ford. “A lot of people came out, a lot of freshmen and sophomores especially.”
The homecoming game brought out all kinds of students ranging from all different grades, all to come out and support one team. While the Marriotts Ridge football team suffered a tough loss, they learned from it, and are now hungry to attack the rest of the season.