On Oct. 20, the Trojans suited up for their Senior Night and Homecoming game, a much-anticipated matchup against our rival, the Woodbridge Warriors. While the game marked the last home football game of the season, it was also a celebration of the return to school and a chance to show off the work of the class councils, setting the tone for a great year ahead.
After a ceremony for the 21 seniors on the UHS Boys’ Varsity Football Team and the three seniors on the UHS Girls’ Varsity Flag Football Team, the final home game began. After the kickoff, the Trojans immediately began their tear down the field, with a 13-yard run by senior Jai Williams, followed by a 29-yard touchdown pass from senior Blaine Anderson to senior Zephyr Reynolds to start the scoring.
Woodbridge would answer with a touchdown of their own, in what would become a back-and-forth first-half battle between the two teams.
At half-time, UHS students participated in council dances, each representing their selected seasons: fall, winter, spring and summer. A mash-up of songs blasted through the stadium as the students in the stands watched their peers and friends perform the choreographed dances on the football field. The UHS junior class was selected as the winner of Spirit Week after showing their school spirit through their dance, Spirit Night and success in the lunch fests that took place the same week.
Following the council dances, the Homecoming court walked out on a red carpet on the field. Antonio Rodriguez Diaz and Riley Hertstein were selected as king and queen and were presented with their respective crown and tiara. Earlier that day, each Homecoming court nominee performed dances in pairs at the pap rally, which added to everyone’s excitement for what was to come later that night.
After the halftime festivities, the game resumed with the Trojans pulling away with another 21 points in the second half backed by Anderson at quarterback and incredible defensive turnovers.
“We had four turnovers, one of them being a pick-6, which allowed us to gain lots of momentum and helped us maintain possession,” Anderson said.
Although he was not in his normal position, Anderson completed 77% of his passes and threw for a total of 118 yards. He also recorded two passing touchdowns on top of his one rushing touchdown. Touchdowns from seniors Jonathan Soto and Ricky Bines as well as two touchdowns from Reynolds would round out the scoring for the Trojans.
The Trojans would go on to win against Woodbridge 35-13, the first time University High School has won against the Warriors since 2011.
“Beating Woodbridge was the best feeling of my football career,” Anderson said. “With the combination of it being Senior Night, our Homecoming game and playing against our rival while simultaneously dealing with the adversity of losing our starting quarterback, Koa, it felt amazing to win that game for him, the seniors, the team and the entire school.”
Numerous players contributed to the team’s success against the Warriors.
“It was a team experience,” Soto said. “We were all out there playing for each other as well as the whole school and it was a great team win.”
Beating Woodbridge for the first time in 12 years, the seniors were able to leave their mark on the school in their final home game.
“As a record that hasn’t been broken in a decade, it felt amazing to break it on the way out and this is something that will live with all of us for the rest of our lives,” senior Brooks Beckmann said. “This also sets the tone for the younger classes who will hopefully continue the legacy we are leaving behind.”
Overall, the Homecoming game was a complete display of school pride, with a victory that students and players alike will remember for years to come.
