By: Leilany Rivas and Arlette Martinez
Eisenhower High School, Celebrating its sixtieth anniversary, homecoming weekend was the perfect atmosphere for many students to enjoy the game. Eisenhower go against Arroyo Valley High School. Our Eisenhower Eagles take the win sixty-two to twelve. “It's going to be a close game...” says one of Arroyo Valley’s quarterback and wide receiver, Gabriel Burgara.
The game had an encouraging start for the Eisenhower Eagles when a touchdown was made only fifty-two seconds into the first quarter, made by number fourteen, Davyon Benton. A field goal made by number fifteen, Brandon Laguna, bringing the Eagles seven to zero. Arroyo’s number four, makes a touchdown within the first quarter but are only left with six points, because the field goal was made. The final score of the first quarter was fourteen to six with the Eisenhower Eagles in the lead.
Eagles went into the second quarter strong with a touchdown only six seconds into the quarter, a successful pass was made by Eisenhower’s quarterback, number five, Cesar Ayalato number eleven, Jordan Goodloe, made it possible. The play was completed with a field goal made by Laguna. This brought the eagles up twenty one to six. About halfway into the second quarter, both teams were called out on unsportsmanlike conduct. Eisenhower’s number thirty, Isaiah Simmons, claims, “They’re doing dirty plays on us and we caught it but the refs didn’t. ” Simmons stated that the Arroyo Hawks were conducting hits after the whistle and cheapshots. While the Arroyo were asked their perspective on the conflict, number twenty-two, Gamaliel Juarez, admitted that both teams participated in these acts. “It’s happened on both sides of the field. I just got hit after the ball was called off,” he says. With one minute and ten seconds left in the second quarter, the Eagles score another touchdown along with the field goal which brought the total score of the first half of the game to fourth-two to six.
Before the beginning of third quarter, the Spanish Night’s parade took place during halftime. Students, staff and faculty present had the opportunity to enjoy the halftime parade. Participants of the parade included all of the clubs that Eisenhower has to offer. The parade was lead by our band and color guard, students were thrilled to present their floats around the track. One group of students, the LGBTQ club, left a lasting impression at the parade. Throughout the homecoming game, Eisenhower’s top twenty staff members and this year’s homecoming king and queen were crowned. Eisenhower’s homecoming king was Malik Cannon, number six on defense for the homecoming game while homecoming queen was Brianna Rosas, for the year of 2019.
With the conclusion of the Spanish Night’s parade, the game continued on with the commencement of the third quarter. The game grew intense for a moment when Jordan Goodlow, number eleven, injured his left ankle. Eisenhower’s football team and those on the sideline knelt down hoping that he would get up, the crowd was anticipating if he was going to be able to get up. To everyone’s joy, Goodlow was able to get up with ease. As the game began again, Eisenhower was able to recover a fumble made by Arroyo. Number twenty from Arroyo, then intercepts number fifty-one from Eisenhower. Near the end of the third quarter the game begins to get a little rocky for the Eisenhower eagles such as an incomplete pass was made from number fifty made by the eagles. However, the ending score for the third quarter gave no doubts that the eagles were going to lose anytime soon with a score of forty-nine to twelve.
With each quarter, the Eagles seem to be on a roll, scoring another incredible touchdown made by number one leaving the score fifty-five to twelve. An extra point by number fifteen is scored by the eagles, raising the score to fifty six points. Number fifty one kicks off but is later intercepted by number twenty from Arroyo. The referee signals a Face mask to Eisenhower, meaning that another player has illegally touched the mask of another player. Later on the game, Eisenhower is penalized for late hit. What seemed to be another touchdown by Eisenhower from number six, who intercepted a pass from Arroyo, is called out for personal foul due to coaches passing the line. The penalty is later redeemed with a final touchdown made by Corey, number three, leaving the game sixty-two to twelve. Eisenhower automatically wins the game and proceeds to celebrate their victory happily.
The football players high five their opponents, Arroyo Valley High School, showing good sportsmanship. They then proceed to make their way towards Eisenhower’s crowd of students, along with the cheerleaders, cheering for their victory. Anthony Smith, number ten, comments on how the game was,” … amazing. Coming off the loss [from two weeks ago]. We had a break last week…so it was like a refresh…”, when asked about upcoming rival week, he smiled enthusiastically while explaining, “I’m excited. I’ve never had a rival week like this. I’m a transfer. I’m looking forward to this game”. Smith looks onward to having a great season and putting his mind to everything he’s got. Another player, Luis Simpson, number nine, wide receiver, gives his opinions on the game as well. He doesn’t sugar coat the fact that the game was, “ … very easy. There wasn’t much competition. I give Arroyo credit for even coming up against us, but you know that’s what Ike do, we win.” With the word of rival week going around Simpson comments, “ Aw man, yeah. We’re ready for Rialto. They’re not going to really do much, they only got like, thirty something players. We’ve got twice as much as them. I’m very excited for that game”. The homecoming game gave the football team a new spark of determination and redemption from the last game against Moreno Valley High School. With electrified spirits, the football team faces a new challenge for the next game during rival week, head on.
