Halloween and the last football game of the season are one after another. A holiday that brings all sorts of candies into the bags of trick-or-treaters with the next day bringing a more bittersweet treat. The Weddington Warriors took on Marvin, what was the outcome? And on a side note how was Halloween this year? Did it affect the players to go from Halloween night to a game? Did we benefit or suffer from it?
What is Halloween? Where did it come from?
It’s a holiday celebrated on October 31st every year. Where kids and even adults dress up in costumes to party, treat-or-treat and also just for fun. Originating in ancient Ireland (Celtics) during a time when people would light bonfires and wear scary costumes to ward off ghosts/bad spirits called Samhain. Later Pope Gregory III assigned November 1st as a time to honor all saints. The leading into All Saints day blending some of the traditions of Samhain. Turning the holidays into All Hallows Eve before becoming Halloween. As old as this holiday remains today, it sits as the second most popular holiday in the country behind Christmas, just barely more popular than Thanksgiving. Still being one of the world’s oldest holidays, Halloween has continued to keep up with all the younger/newer holidays. It doesn’t seem it will be going away anytime soon either.
What does Halloween have to play into school?
On November 4th of 2019 there was an article that talked about the debate of whether it was healthy or not to go to school after Halloween. The National Sleep Foundation got involved saying “that teens need 8 to 10 hours of sleep a night in order to function at their highest abilities. If teens are out late on Halloween, their sleep schedule becomes altered, forcing students to get less sleep. Teens who end up going to school the next day will be unfocused and groggy. Not getting enough sleep can limit their ability to learn, listen, concentrate and solve problems. Messing with a child’s sleep schedule may cause mood swings, behavioral problems and cognitive issues that impact their ability to learn.” The article pointed to the solution of giving students a day to relax, they would have the opportunity to come to school alert and refreshed. This gave school board administrators a challenge where there were the absent rates of the day after Halloween continues to go up. Having this next day off school if allowed would benefit the students to let them have a night of fun not having to worry about the stresses of school or missing out on this thrilling holiday.
What does Halloween have to do with football?
The Weddington Warriors final game against Marvin was on the day after Halloween. The day that had proved for students to be groggy and out of it due to the holiday actually showed to not affect our Warriors. Even though the studies show that students and players are less productive due to the activities taking place the night before, it didn’t matter. The Warriors defied the stats and jumped over the proven studies when it comes to the average student. Not only did the Warriors come to school that day but they also played their all on the football field.
What separates an athlete apart from a regular student?
Athletes put in time and effort into the sports they play around the clock. Practices, games, training, pre-game day build-up, post-game game recovery, etc. Sports isn’t just the sort of thing where you show up and play then go home, there’s preparation and time that goes into getting ready for that game. Even when there aren’t games the mentality of an athlete is preparing for that next thing. For games and practices athletes are trained to make healthier food options, not stay out as long and balance their nutrition in their diets for a productive game. For example, this game was the day after halloween so unlike the rest of the world eating candy and staying out late, these athletes probably stayed in and grabbed an apple to eat whilst watching a horror movie. When it comes to comparing athletes to the regular student other than the size difference or them being able to use in game terms, athletes also live much different style lives that is hard to tell from the outside eye. So, I wanted to know the perspective of a senior Weddington Warrior on his output of the game and asked him a couple of questions, here’s what he had to say.
As an athlete what are some responsibilities that you have?
“As an athlete, you have several key responsibilities that extend beyond just performing well in your sport. Some responsibilities are Physical Fitness and Training, Diet and Nutrition, Time Management, Ethical Behavior and Integrity, Teamwork and Leadership and Public Image.”
On Nov 1st what was your mentality playing?
“My mentality was mixed on one side. I was reminiscing and emotional because of the journey and hard work I have put into this program. And on the other hand I was very motivated to put on a good prefromes and was ready to dominate on my senior night.”
What did you think of the outcome of the game? Why do you think you won?
“I think the outcome of the game was good because a win is a win but we can always improve and do better. I think we won the game because we were the more physically prepared and better talented team.”
The night before did you celebrate halloween like everyone else, or prepare for the game?
“I did not celebrate halloween nor did I go out. I decided to stay in and get my body prepared for the game.”
As a senior playing the last home game (not dealing with the tournament thingy) how much did that night mean? “Playing my last regular season game as a senior on our home field with all my friends is an amazing experience because I have been playing with most of them since 6th grade and have made so many memories on that feild.”
Tell me about yourself as an athlete, like why did you become an athlete and how much of a commitment is it? “I decided to become an athlete in 4th grade when I had the desire to start playing football because I enjoyed watching football so I wanted to see how much fun it was to actually play the game instead of watching. But there’s a lot of commitment that involves far more than just showing up for games or competitions. It’s about dedicating your time, energy, and mental focus to your craft. It takes a deep love for the sport, a strong work ethic, and the ability to make sacrifices in other areas of life in order to excel.”
Would you say athletes have a different life compared to people who don’t play sports?
How do you feel going into tomorrow’s game? How do you get ready for that?
“I would say athletes do have a different life compared to an average student because you have to learn how to multitask and manage time which can be very challenging at times. I feel ready for tomorrow’s game. Just like every other game I don’t make it bigger than it is and play how I know how to play the game. And I just go through my game day routine, drink plenty of water, sleep well and watch plenty of film.”
What happened at the football game?
With it being the day after Halloween and the seniors ready to go out with a win, the game began. This was the warriors last and final fight of the season and against their biggest rivals; Marvin Ridge Ponies. The Ponies brought their game and came ready to play but the Warriors were prepared to show Marvin just how strong they really are as a team. With the first snap of the ball and the clock timer beginning to tick down, the Warriors knew that it was game time. The cheerleaders with their ongoing spirit cheering throughout each play and the student section dressing out in all white. When tension started as the Ponies scored a touchdown and Weddington had just matched them with one. From standing at the top of the field with the highschool behind you, the right side of the stadium was filled with black shirted Ponies fans and on the left was the white shirted Weddington supporters, family members and students. The tension continued as the warriors clicked into gear and took over the game. The Warriors left their hearts on the field, as the seniors walked off at the end of the game for the last time with their family and friends. Leaving their own marks on for the next Warriors to aspire to lead on their own legacies and keep their dedication to Weddington going. With the end score sitting at an impressive 45-13 to the hardworking, outgoing, strong and inspiring Weddington Warriors.
What did it look like that night?
Here are pictures taken by Eva Strauburger and myself from all over the stadium with fieldside views, bleacher views and simply beautiful props that are going into the band’s performance this year.
