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Maddie Nyman

The Phoenix lineup and prepare to execute their play. “We practiced very hard, and we saw it in the game,” junior Luca Foscarini said.

Following homecoming spirit week and the first outdoor pep rally in Rock Ridge’s history, the football players took to the field to face off against the Park View Patriots on Oct. 8. The game concluded with the first  Phoenix win of the season, 35-0.

Before the game, students from all grade levels came to the homecoming tailgate to play cornhole, paint signs and their faces, enjoy music, buy from food trucks serving fried oreos and chicken tenders, and hang out with their friends. For the first homecoming game since 2020, The Phoenix Pit was packed with students dressed head to toe in black to show their support for the team. 

With the student body watching in the stands, the Phoenix won the game. “[I was] really nervous, but once you get in, you just want to be there,” freshman football player Brody Meredith said. 

The Phoenix remained strong throughout the game, closing it out with an interception touchdown by sophomore Austin Fisher. “We focused and put in our work. We really wanted to win the game on Friday,” head coach George Masten said.

Following Fisher’s touchdown at the end of the fourth quarter, the student section emptied, rushing the field to celebrate the victory with the team — similar to two years ago where the team also won their homecoming game against the Patriots. Students came together to celebrate the win on the same field that would be transformed into a dance floor under a tent for homecoming the next night.