Thursday, September 14 2023, our Spring Valley football team faced the Cimarron- Memorial Spartans at Spring Valley. This home game not only was on the week of 9/11 but had a theme of USA in honor of that day.This game had lots of improvements from the past games. Our very own student council put together a student section that had the crowd more pumped up than ever before. The student section had lots of students wearing red, white, and blue, and the stands filled with our students holding the American flag for remembrance of 9/11. The crowd was led by our student council, it included loud music, microphones for the amazing chants and even posters to support our grizzlies on the field.
The game had more energy than ever before, with student involvement but also our lovely staff. Our own CCSD police held up a sign that said “cheer or go to jail” which had the students go crazy. We had students excited about the speakers and suggesting songs with an overall positive student driven environment. The result of the student section had students and our teachers talking about it for the rest of the week. Not only did this start off the game on a positive note but also had our very own grizzlies motivated to play their very best on the field.
Our football team coached by Marcus Teal played very hard throughout the night. In the first half of the game our grizzlies were in the lead, and had the stands very invested in the game. There were many good plays during the game that had everyone in the stands on their feet. Our team worked very hard to keep us in the lead, even after the set back we had in the first quarter. Our grizzlies fought hard to keep us on the right track to success.
Some insight on the game, number 1 Alec Livingston scored a 78 yard touchdown. This was a huge part during the game and really got the crowd excited to see how this game was going to turn out. Tipisone Manu rushed over 100 yards and did a good job getting the ball down the field as well.
Throughout this battle against Cimmaron our players did enjoy the music as much as the student section did. On the sideline not only did these chants get the whole crowd involved but it showed that it really helps motivate these players. The music got to some of the players as well, as a result of some of the players dancing on the sideline. The environment of these football games will never be the same due to the student council and our student section really stepping up.
Our players did their best on the field, but unfortunately the game did result in a loss against Cimarron. Tight end, Kaleb Moore says “The game was a long fought battle, but we play to learn and hopefully we learn from our mistakes from this game on” This game proves that you need to fail in order to learn, and our grizzlies intend to do just that. With any adjustments or punches thrown at them, they will continue to do their best on the field for our school.
Wide receiver Alec Livingston also mentions “ We were really motivated going into this game and were locked in, but we ended up selling short, we will use this to learn and grow when we are put in this same position next time”. Our players will continue to have a positive mindset on the game itself and take a loss as a lesson to learn from. Not only does this show true dedication to the sport but they are ready to get back under the lights with their heads held high.
The final score was 14-16, but this does not mean that our grizzlies did not fight till the end. Although we did lose the game there were also many wins in our book. The student section created a new and exciting environment for students at the football games and excites students to look forward to the next home game. This not only got teachers and staff involved but we got our very own Spring Valley cheerleaders to help pump up the student section and cheer on our players. Our band also collaborated with the student council to create a fun and good experience for everyone. The game might have resulted in a loss but it was not a total loss for our school.
