Seniors savor bittersweet final home game

Bleachers overflowing with trademark black and gold, football players lined up on the sidelines for the final home game. On Oct. 27, the varsity team played Miramar High School.  For seniors in the class of 2018, this would be the very last time they would walk on the Wildcats’ football field.

Encouraging the crowd to shout loud and proud for their team, both JV and varsity cheer teams were both present. In addition to a jaw-dropping performance, the group stood on their feet the whole time, not showing a hint of fatigue. Senior Korrin Sheahan has been involved for three years.

“It was bittersweet cheering for the last time on that track. Cheering has brought me great friendships and memories I’ll forever cherish,” Sheahan said.

With the school placing so much emphasis on this game against Miramar, the team was under pressure not to let their school down. There was much at stake, this being the last time seniors would ever see their team play at home. Senior Olivier Ambroise has been playing on the team for two years.

“There’s no other team I would rather be a part of,” Ambroise said.

Prioritizing the game before anything else, the football team practiced every single day. Senior night having one of the biggest turnouts in comparison to most games, the seemingly stressful environment had little to no effect on the team itself.

“Honestly, it felt the same [as other games],” Ambroise said, when asked of the overall ‘hype’ of the game itself.

The marching band and color guard attended every home game for each season. Hyping up not only the football team, but also every fan in the bleachers, the group as a whole contained over thirty seniors. Senior Charlie Marshall, trumpet section leader, is in the process of his third year in the group.

“My favorite moment had to be watching the underclassmen perform by themselves,” Marshall said, smiling, “it was sort of like a glimpse into the upcoming year,” Marshall said.

In one of the band’s most notable traditions, veterans vacate the bleachers to watch their underclassmen counterparts perform at the end of the senior night game.

“It was a very prideful moment, seeing all the kids we’ve taught perform on their own,”  Marshall said.

For the last game, Miramar’s band also attended. Facing off in the ultimate battle of bands, they both took turns fighting to capture the audience’s attention. Senior Sara Hernandez, one of the color guard captains, has been in guard for five years.

“It was a really great experience to have some friendly competition at our last game,” Hernandez said, “we had never done anything like that before.”

Throughout the game, both groups mimicked each other to see who could play louder and stronger. At the end of the game, Western’s leadership was brought across the field to meet some of Miramar’s student leaders.

“It was good sportsmanship, for sure,” Hernandez said, “it was a great way to tie up my senior marching season.”

Every seat in the stadium was filled. Junior William Ogden attended the game with friends.

“It was different than other games,” Ogden said, “everyone was on the edge of their seat the entire time,” Ogden said.

Even ‘proud principal’ Jimmy Arrojo was there, showing non-stop enthusiasm and support for his students. Never taking a moment’s rest, Arrojo was up and around the entire game, cheering for his team.

Constantly neck and neck throughout the night, both teams clearly left their hearts on the field. Miramar won the battle in the end, 27-25.