Homecoming is rapidly approaching, but it’s not all about fancy dresses and dances; for the football team, it’s about mud, sweat and beating J.E.B. Stuart Friday night. For the school, this is the game that everyone looks forward to, but for the players and coaches, it’s just another game.

 “We see every game as a state championship, so we don’t treat it any differently,” said football coach Brandon Jackson.

“There should be no difference, but it’s a lot more spirited, a lot more people come out for that game,” said junior football player Josh Wattawa.

 Since the team is 5-3 this season, prepare for a great game. The team has been preparing very hard all season and has been getting better every week. The homecoming game this year is against J.E.B. Stuart, which team captain Kyle Hobbs sees as a challenge.

 “It’s harder to prepare for a team if everyone tells you you’re better than them,” said Hobbs.

 This may be the perception since J.E.B Stuart is 0-4, head coach Jason Allen doesn’t see this game, nor the opponent, any differently.

 “The opponent shouldn’t dictate anything in terms of our approach to the game; we’re going to try to play as hard as we can and execute just like any other game,” said Allen.

 While the thoughts on the opponent are mixed, senior captain Matt Oswald and Hobbs can agree on one thing.

 “I’m just going to play my heart out for the rest of the year, that’s all I can do,” said Oswald.

 “Since the first game, I haven’t really looked at things like, “Oh this is my last one” because you could say that about every game the rest of this year. So, I try not to look at it like that.  I just got to embrace the moment,” said Hobbs.

 Senior cheerleader Hailey Keiling does not share this opinion. She said that she is very disappointed that this is her last homecoming game. However, she does have full confidence in the team’s ability to win.

 “Yes [we’re going to win]. Triple digits, go panthers!” said Keiling.

  Players and cheerleaders have so much confidence for this game and would love your support.

 “Just have kids come out, that’s what we love. We love when people come out and support us,” said Jackson.