The most anticipated game of the Varsity Football season took place at Salter Stadium on Sep. 29. The Arcadia student section was roaring with energy, displaying various shades of red as the Arcadia Apaches clashed with the Burbank Bulldogs. The Apaches worked hard throughout the game, showed resilience, and fought for a final score of 59-14. The game set the stage for the Homecoming dance scheduled for the following day and marked the Pacific League’s start for the players. 

“The strategy of the game today was just to be a team,” stated Coach Antyone Sims in a later interview, “[since] we had some of the guys that were out.” 

Like all games, the referee called four captains from each side to conduct the traditional coin toss which will help determine which side gets the ball first. Burbank won the toss and decided to defer to the second half. 

The first quarter commenced as the Burbank Bulldogs kicked off to the Arcadia Apaches. During the first few plays of the game, Arcadia was at a tight match with either team seeming to score a touchdown. Senior wide receiver Mikal Reed caught the ball behind the 10-yard-line and got past his defenders and successfully advanced to the 40-yard line. The Apaches advanced further allowing Keyonn Chatman to get to 1st down. However, Burbank turned the game around and also got to first down. Then with just two minutes left of the first quarter, Reed scored a touchdown making the score 6-0.

“I would say the first turning point was when I threw the ball to number 1 Mikal Reed and assisted a touchdown,” said wide junior receiver Jaelin Moten

The second quarter was looking bright as the Apaches built up their energy and aggression. It started off with an impressive first down run from Chatman followed by a touchdown for Arcadia (12-0). As junior running back Chatman tried to score another touchdown, junior lineback Aiden Ramirez of Burbank unfortunately sustained an injury. Following that, Chatman scored his second touchdown of tonight 18-0. With three minutes left, junior running back Joseph Caballero of Burbank scored a touchdown. After the touchdown, senior defensive back Brian Butchko of Burbank scored a touchdown raising the score to 18-7.  

The end of the second quarter marked the beginning of the much awaited synchronized halftime performance from the Apache Band and Color Guard. The show titled “Drawn to Destiny” featuring music from Studio Ghibli was composed by the band and color guard’s instructors, Tony Nuñez, and Anthony Garcia, respectively. 

“My favorite part was the loud cheers coming from the crowd when someone [from my team] caught a high rifle toss,” stated sophomore main rifle Alexis Weitkamp. 

After the astonishing arts performance, senior vice president Henrina Zhang, and senior clubs commissioner, Lukas Kristyan Caces, announced the names of the Homecoming Royalty Court, stating a fun fact from each prince and princess, as they walked down the field with their family and friends.   

The student section roared in the second and third quarter, where the Apache players contributed to five touchdowns and four field goals in the 12 minute time frame leaving the score as (45-14). The fourth quarter was just as successful with junior wide receiver Derek Rowan (AHS) intercepting a pass from Jake Reyes (BHS) and completing a run to the end zone. 

In the end, the Apache players had not only displayed their exceptional talent but had also created a memorable chapter for the players and the students. Great work to both the football team and our student section for an amazing night to remember! Go Apaches!