Yes, all games in the season are important for the athletes and school alike. However, some games are highlighted and spoken of more as the event gets closer. This game fills the air with a sense of school pride and a distinctive rivalry. This game, of course, was the long-awaited rivalry between the Windsor Wizards and the Severance Knights.
The rivalry between WHS and SHS has existed since SHS opened in fall of 2019. Because this rivalry has rang true for five years now, students have craved this opportunity to go head to head in athletics. It finally happened this year because of the recent division change.
WHS technical support specialist Roy Allen (staff) has a background of coaching football at SHS and is still familiar with some of the athletes who play there. After his long-awaited transfer to begin coaching at Windsor, the difference in style has significantly changed the game.
“The new coaching staff was a big factor in making me begin coaching here,” Allen said. “I wasn’t asked to come back to coaching at Severance and both Coach Jones and Coach Beets have always wanted me to coach here. It was a pretty easy transition.”
The bone-chilling air that haunted the field on the night of Sept. 20 provided the perfect ambiance for the game about to take place. More than 2,000 people were predicted to be at the game, which ultimately resulted in heightened senses as well as high hopes.
After warming up, both teams were introduced onto the field. After the coin toss took place between both schools’ captains, the game began.
This game won the 9 News Game of the Week competition. At the start of the game, 9 News reporters surrounded the field, prepared to take in the game as a whole. Despite knowledge of the press, athletes like wide receiver Tripp Thomas (12) had absolutely no change in performance.
“There wasn’t a change in our game,” Thomas said. “We have the same plan for each time we play.”
SHS was quick to take the lead of the game with the first touchdown of the night. With Severance up 7-0 in the first few seconds, Windsor football players stayed on their toes and didn’t let their guard down.
Thomas caught a punt made by Severance, which resulted in him running the ball and entering the end zone. This was the first Windsor touchdown and most certainly not the last. Wide receiver Kale Frederick (12) completed the point after kick, which left both teams tied at 7-7 with 5:56 remaining in the first quarter.
“It felt good to make the first touchdown for Windsor,” Thomas stated. “We knew we had to respond because they did make the very first touchdown.”
With the remaining six minutes in the first quarter, both teams made several more plays and touchdown attempts. Cornerback Ethan Schneider (11) successfully took down a defender before he got injured in one of the quarters to come.
Only a few seconds remained in the first quarter, which wasn’t a scare for Thomas. Running the ball and scoring the second touchdown for Windsor with a successful point after kick, he brought his team up, leaving them at 14-7 going into the second quarter of the game.
“I think our entire offense set us up for success at the beginning of the game because they scored on the first two drives,” Thomas explained.
Quarter two relaxed players, letting them ease into the game. Though getting too relaxed wasn’t an option for the Wizards.
Both teams called for a timeout in this quarter, allowing for game planning and the intermixing of athletes.
No touchdowns were scored for either team throughout this quarter, so at halftime Windsor was still up 14-7.
“No, I didn’t have any doubts about us winning,” Thomas stated. “I feel like because we were up by so much, we couldn’t lose it. I also think because it was our rivalry game, it made us want to win even more.”
Halftime provided an intermission, which allowed for the SHS cheerleaders to perform for the crowd. While the illuminated performance was held on the field, athletes were in the locker rooms preparing and getting motivated for the remainder of the game.
Third quarter was a smooth-sailing game for the Wizards. With a few strategic tackles here and there, the Wizards flew through quarter three, going straight into quarter four still up by 7 points.
“It felt good to make the final touchdown for our team,” Thomas said. “I feel like it sealed the game and gave us the win.”
At approximately 9:30 p.m., the game went into the fourth and final quarter. The stakes were quite high as both teams still had the opportunity to secure the victory. Since the Wizards had leverage on the Knights, the win was likely in their hands.
As the seconds began to dwindle, both teams were running out of time to get those desired touchdowns. Thomas ran the ball down the field, which resulted in the third and final touchdown completed by him. Frederick concluded the touchdown with a successful point after kick, resulting in the full 7 points added to the Wizards’ score.
The scoreboard let out an alarming burst of noise along with the bright orange bulbs hitting 0:00, indicating that the game had ended. The Wizards, up by 14 points, had won 21-7. The long-awaited rivalry game came to an end.
Windsor fans, ecstatic, were quick to congratulate their team — but not before coaches could get a word in.
Going home with a trophy, the Wizards will forever talk about the first rivalry game that resulted in a win for not only the team but also for the school. As a large group of WHS football players exited the field, one voice rose above the rest: “That’s just how we play.”
