Homecoming week is full of school spirit that both staff and students can enjoy. The homecoming dance and spirit week are fun for all staff and students, but nothing compares to the football game that finishes off the week. In the weeks before the big game, players and coaches prepare to go for the win. Oct. 11 is the day the Wakefield Wolverines get to show what they have been training for. 

Head coach Trent Wilson believes that the pressure of playing the homecoming game is no different from that of an actual football game. Players and coaches prepare the best they can for every game and go for the win. He advises that his team relax and trust in what they have been guided to do before going out to achieve their goals. 

“[The primary focus] is winning,” Wilson said. “[Homecoming] is the one time when you have more school pride. It is an exciting week, so you want to end that week off with a big victory.” 

Assistant coach Darry Ragland claims that homecoming games are more suspenseful than regular games, especially because this year the football team plays against one of their main rivals, Wake Forest. They hope to come out of the game with the Predatory Trophy that Wake Forest has had for years. He hopes the team does extra activities outside of school to prepare for the game, but most importantly he hopes they have fun and stay safe while playing. 

“[We want] to win, and come back with the [predatory] trophy,” Ragland said. “Wake Forest has had that trophy for quite some time.”

Senior Luke Blackburn is very excited for the game and is thrilled to see people having fun and cheering on the team. He realizes that there will be a lot more people this time around.

“I always try to be a good teammate to everybody because you never know what someone is going through,” Blackburn said. “I try to be there when [teammates] need it and encourage everyone.” 

Senior Caleb Asobo feels good about the upcoming game against Wake Forest and is excited to play them due to their ongoing rivalry. He acknowledges that the team is a family and they help bring each other up and improve on and off the field. He also explains how homecoming holds a lot of weight for players and members of the community.

“The name behind [homecoming] just automatically adds weight to [the game] and when you hear that you know that something is on the line beyond looking good for your school,” Asobo said. 

It is clear to see that this team does not believe games are all about winning. They also involve being with their teammates and communicating to make the homecoming game a good match. Staff and students go to these games to support their school and be together. 

“I want to be remembered as the first team to beat Wake Forest in years,” Asobo said.