The past four years of Friday nights at Campo have seen the wins of our varsity football team and the talents of our cheer team. On Friday, Nov. 7, the football and cheer teams celebrated their senior nights with the football players before the game and the cheer squad during halftime. After a long and successful season, the Cougars played their final regular-season game against their rival, Miramonte. They secured a win to finish the season with seven wins and three losses.

Due to the lack of seniors last football season, many of this year’s seniors had already played on varsity to culminate in a two-year experience. Meanwhile, others got a chance to start on varsity for the first time as seniors. After a disappointing 2024 season, the Cougars hoped their depth of experience would result in a better record.

And nevertheless, the Cougars had many impressive games, including their road win against Monte Vista in October. Senior left tackle Henry Goodman called the victory his favorite game of the season, saying, “It’s probably the most memorable because it was a game we shouldn’t have won. It was a team we went against that was a lot better than us. They had a way harder schedule, but it was gutted. It took all four quarters and then the win.” At the end of the game, the song “Delta Dawn” played and Goodman recalls it as his favorite moment of the season.

At Senior Night, twenty-nine players were celebrated and walked the field with their families and friends. The team was wearing their red jerseys, which, in football tradition, are only worn for meaningful home games. Many of the seniors had been on the team since their freshman year and got to be a part of one of Campo’s best football traditions.

“These guys have been with me since my first ever snap of organized football freshman year. It’s kind of surreal knowing that it’s all going to be coming to an end soon, but it’s also really nice to know that we had a lot of fun while it lasted, and we accomplished a lot. I’m just really glad at the experiences and friendships I made out of it. So all I can say is just positive things,” said Goodman.

As for the cheer squad, they danced and motivated from the sidelines at every game, and instead of their usual dance at midfield during halftime, they walked with their families down the middle of the field. Unlike the football team, the cheerleaders still get to continue their season with more competitions later in the year.

Nevertheless, the team has grown during these first three months. Senior Caitlin Coyle said, “This season, I feel like we’ve grown so much. We started by taking home first place at camp, which was great, and since then, we’ve just been on an upward climb.”

Even though the team still has more practices and competitions, they will miss cheering from the sidelines during Friday Night Lights. “It’s so sad. I mean, it’s the final season, it’s super great, because it means I get to be the person being a senior, but it’s sad because I am about to leave the team, and they’re my second family.” The team has built a great bond this season, from Halloween parties to late-night practices.

As this year’s senior class steps away from their time at football and cheer, they celebrate their successes and accomplishments. The football team did not get the result they wanted with a playoff loss at home, but they fought hard throughout the entire season.

The cheer squad took home many accolades throughout this season. One thing is for sure, they all made for some memorable autumn Friday nights.