![Junior Diya Arun stares out a window. For Arun, the winter season brings out the holiday blues. “ I think [the winter] has a negative effect on my mental health because I feel like the cold weather and people around me are also sadder [and] that affects me,” Arun said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/IMG_8047-1200x800.jpg)
![The Phoenix varsity volleyball team lines up for the national anthem. “We were more communicative [with each other] during this game, and I feel like we kept our energy up, especially after the first set,” senior Jessica Valdov said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DSC_0202-1200x800.jpg)
Three times the seniors, three times the tears, and three times the cheers.
On Friday Nov. 3, the Phoenix took on the visiting Annandale Atoms for their senior night and last home football game of the season. However, it wasn’t just those who have dedicated their time and talents to the football program who were honored. Prior to the start of the game, all senior marching band members, cheerleaders, football players, and managers walked out onto the field with their friends and family to be celebrated by both the administration and their respective mentors. The line of seniors and their loved ones spanned more than half the length of the field as they posed for pictures before the game began.
After the starting kickoff, the Phoenix attempted to gain some yardage through several run and pass plays, only to be met with heavy resistance from the Atoms. Following a failed Phoenix fourth down conversion attempt, the Atoms gained possession of the ball from the previous mark and eventually took it to the endzone for a touchdown, ending the first quarter with the Phoenix down 7-0.
Back on the field for the second quarter, the Phoenix returned with one goal in mind: score. This revamped motivation paved the way for results, as several successful run plays put the Phoenix just within reach of the endzone. The Phoenix knew they had to deliver as they launched the ball to senior Darien ‘DJ’ Ferrell, who caught it for the touchdown. Combined with the one point from the field goal kick, the Phoenix finished the first half tied 7-7 with the Atoms, putting them in a much better position going into halftime.
As the marching band wrapped up their last home performance this year, the Phoenix football team knew they had to secure the lead. Beginning the third quarter with an explosive start of successful down conversions, Phoenix quarterback sophomore Xavier Smith ended the streak right, running the ball in for a touchdown and putting the Phoenix up 14-7. After triumphantly acquiring the lead, the Phoenix consistently pushed back the Atoms, who were quickly losing steam. This advancement only continued in the final minutes of the quarter, as junior Julian Ogletree scored the third Phoenix touchdown of the night, ending the third quarter with the Phoenix holding a commanding lead of 21-7.
Keeping the rhythm going to start the fourth quarter, Ogletree scored his second touchdown of the night early on, putting the Phoenix up 27-7. On the defensive side, the Phoenix continued to thwart the Atoms offensive plans with some key tackles from senior Austin Fisher preventing their progress. In the final seconds of the game with a last-ditch effort, the Atoms scored, raising their score to 13. Nevertheless, the Phoenix still concluded the game with a winning score of 27-13, as players, coaches, and students all celebrated the momentous end to the seniors’ fall high school chapter.
