For a school so adamantly against football, SDA’s flag football game was a resounding success. Perhaps it was the innate avoidance of the original sport that led to the generous turn out, after all who doesn’t want to live on the edge, to break the trend, to swim against the current. Senior Jackson Wagner, who played for team Water Polo and Co. said, “It’s my first year doing this, and it’s nice to see the turn out.  Most of the senior class is out here.”

Taking the opportunity to train, prepare, and psych themselves out, students and teachers alike anticipated the competition with a passionate thirst for victory. In the days before the fated event, both parties could be heard making what could be called extremely spirited remarks. Sophomore Aziza Rishmawi said, “My team is called the Rainbow Princesses that Sparkle. I’m excited to beat all the guys. It’s extremely likely we’ll win.”

Finally the awaited moment arose, and within the first few minutes, herds of students slowly migrated toward the new field. The event was added further to by an assortment of additional attractions. Venders seized a chance to sell a variety of consumables, including pizza and Jamba juice to ravenous teenagers, as well as the other spectators including the family and friends of participating athletes. School clubs also played an active role in the event. SDA’s Gay Straight Alliance Club and the Thespian Club both held face painting booths, eliciting their own friendly sort of rivalry. Students took the opportunity to enjoy refreshments or support their school’s clubs as they made their way down to the field.

Seating was awkward, or pleasantly casual, depending on how you’d look at it. Bleachers, having not been constructed as of the moment, were absent, so the crowd seated themselves upon the AstroTurf here and there, or stood around chatting with friends. A plethora of student teams decided to participate, many of them creating elaborate uniforms, and dubbing themselves with unique team names including the Rainbow Princesses That Sparkle, the Power Tools, and Back for Seconds. Everyone watched as students dominated students in the battle to take on the teacher team.

Everyone had a different reason for attending, some students went to watch their friends play, some had no other plans that night, and some were just flag football enthusiasts. Whatever their reason for going, most students seemed to have a great time, even if it meant hours spent in the bitter cold (an iPhone forecast check showed temperatures dropped to the low 50’s).

Many students were still watching when the game reached its final hour. The four final student teams battled bravely against the valiant teachers for victory. The final student team, Back for Seconds, eventually won 36-30. By the end, the no-tackle rule was completely ignored, and breaths were held in the last altercation when Psychology teacher James Hrzina suffered an injury during a collision. Many students stood at the sidelines, clamoring in confusion over what was happening; however everyone was relieved to see that everyone was alright.

Overall, the flag football game was a win, not just for the victorious students, but for everyone who attended. It brought a lot of the school together. Even if it was just a short-lived rivalry on a fleeting Friday afternoon, many students plan on, and anticipate, next year’s game.