![Held up by a group of cheerleaders, flyer sophomore Leyu Yonas poses as part of a stunt, also supported by flyer junior Shayne Mitchell behind her. (Left) Prior to the pink out football game on Oct. 13, the athletes practiced in the aux gym from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Right) On Oct. 19, the cheerleaders competed in their District Championships at Woodgrove High School. “We definitely put all our effort on the mat [at Districts], and it showed,” Mitchell said. Left: Photo by Nadia Shirr. Right: Photo by Steve Prakope via Victor O’Neill Studios.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/feature-image-1200x823.png)
![Sophomore Xavier Smith (6), the Phoenix quarterback, runs the ball as his teammates help hold up the defense. “My [offensive] line collapses, so I just [have to run], and its a good way to get first downs because [Tuscarora’s] defense was really good,” Smith said.](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_5383-1200x897.jpg)
![As the referee throws the ball up for the tip-off, freshman Simone Diby leaps towards the ball to get it in Phoenix possession. Diby is a new member of the Phoenix girls basketball team, and despite it being a change, she finds it enjoyable. “It’s definitely a different experience if you’ve never played on a team, [but] I think it’s still fun.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/DSC_0057-1200x662.jpg)
![With the energy and effort the Bolts were bringing to the game, the Phoenix had to step up and match them to make it through their first game of the season. Many of the girls on the team, including freshman Nazly Rostom, have been playing soccer since their childhood and have grown a love for the sport as a result. “It was fun to see how we actually played in a [real] game,” Rostom said. “Even though the outcome was not what we were hoping for, I’m still happy we got to play together.”](https://theblazerrhs.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/DSC_0154-1200x800.jpg)
With bipolar weather conditions, the Phoenix boys soccer team challenged the Broad Run Spartans in an intense game on March 18. Both teams played relentlessly as the harsh and windy weather attempted to push them back. After back-and-forth gameplay from both sides, the game eventually ended in a draw with a final score of 0-0 after two overtime periods were issued.
After the national anthem played from the loudspeakers, both teams prepared to come out onto the field with fierce energy. As the weather progressively got more intense, so did the energy of the players. Junior Yousuf Odai Jami was a key part of the Phoenix’s offense as he continued to penetrate the Spartans’ defense. Unfortunately, his high energy earned him a yellow card in the middle of the first half, resulting in a quick substitution for the Phoenix. Nevertheless, the Phoenix continued to fight for every possession for the rest of the first half.
As the Phoenix stepped back onto the field after halftime, they came with a new mindset: dominate the field. “We all played as a team, and we got our first positive result of the season,” sophomore left-back defender Arjav Iyer said. “I feel like we dominated the game for [the most part].”
The Phoenix kept pushing the Spartans back as they advanced closer to their goal. After many close attempts from the strikers, the Phoenix managed to get into the heads of their opponents. Never letting them get the upper hand, the Phoenix had possession of the ball for the majority of the second half. This strategic teamwork allowed them to steal the ball whenever the Spartans put it into play.
Unfortunately, even with the intense pressure from the Phoenix, their attempted shots didn’t convert into goals. “We had a lot of shots, but none of them could find the back of the net,” Iyer said. Though the intensity of the game was high, the score remained 0-0 by the end of the second half. This resulted in a double overtime being issued by the game officials.
With an extra 10 minutes on the clock, both teams left everything on the field as they desperately tried to gain an advantage over the other side. However, the overtime period ended with both teams still tied at 0-0. The game ended in a draw for the Phoenix and Spartans. “Even though it wasn’t the result we wanted, I feel like we played well and there are a lot of positives to take from the game,” junior Rishit Choudhari said.
The Phoenix will play at home next on April 4 against the Briar Woods Falcons.
