What are you doing this Friday? The Green Hope football team has been on a winning streak this season. After a more-than-upsetting season last year, this comeback has been the word on everyone’s tongue. But are students actually showing up? And what are the incentives to keep them coming back? Students love the themes as they give them a reason to get excited for the game, with students spending up to two weeks planning their outfits and coordinating with friends. One student in particular loves the ability to show off her fashion skills: Senior Alexis Roberts said, “I like when the themes are easy but unique. Especially at the fourth game, Western Out was such a fun way to show personality while all dressing up for our team”.
Themes are a big part of going to games, with some students even going so far as to say that if you’re not on theme, you might as well not be there. People take them seriously and work hard to make sure outfits look put together and perfect. Friday, Sept. 12th’s game against North Durham had a western theme, and the student section was a sea of cowboy hats and boots. Some friend groups coordinated the color of their hats, boots or flannels, with many going to Goodwill before the game to snag any last-minute items. However, not everyone enjoys the themes as they might need to buy specific items for fear of not being on theme. Some students feel as though they will be judged if they aren’t on theme, just because they can’t buy items.
For some, the theme isn’t the biggest incentive to go. Junior Arden Linville says, “My biggest incentive for going to the games is probably the energy this year. It’s really fun to just go with my friends and hang out, plus we are having a very good season this year.” People love getting to hang out, eat food and just be themselves without the pressure of assignments, weekend homework, college applications and parents for a few hours. For many, the night doesn’t end with the game, with some going to get ice cream or food afterward, or simply taking a drive.
With another win on Sept. 12th against North Durham, the Falcons were off to a 4-0 start for the first time in 21 years. As the team keeps winning, the students keep showing up. It seems that at every game, there are more and more people showing up to support not just the team but also our marching band, cheer team and dance team. “Our first home football game this year might be something that goes out in history for me,” said Principal Cleveland. “I mean, our student section overflowed into the band section. And they stayed the whole game. And they cheered the whole game. They cheered for the marching band and the dance team. There was just this moment of we’re all here for this and we’re back,” she said.
Students encourage everyone to come to at least one game, “It’s more than football, so don’t worry about understanding the game. I promise you, every football game, there are at least a couple hundred ‘What just happened?’s,” Said Alexis Roberts (‘26). So I ask again, what are you doing this Friday?
