Throughout the week leading up to the Langley vs. McLean rivalry, the varsity football game was on every Langley students’ mind. With a playoff spot on the line, and Twitter flooded with #beatMcLean tweets, the Saxon Spirit heightened even more after the freshman team pulled out a win on Thursday night. On the night of the game, the student section was filled with Saxons decked out in green spirit wear, and every play seemed to lead to a roar, especially when Langley took an early lead. However, by the time the third quarter rolled around, half the students that were originally at the game were nowhere to be seen.
The football games have been this way all year. Long before the games have been over, even in close matchups, students have been leaving. Whether it be the cold, or just a simple disinterest, the volume at the games has consistently diminished throughout the football games. Early departures wouldn’t be unusual in a regular season blowout, but a rivalry game with huge playoff implications would usually yield a more consistent or longer turnout. If the undoubtedly biggest game of the year for Langley football doesn’t cause students to wait out the finish, spirit is diminishing.
The various blackouts and spirit days were successes, but the real lack of excitement seems to be on the actual football game social scene rather than the points scored. Despite the Saxons’ varsity team making the playoffs and going undefeated on home turf, by the second half, and especially the fourth quarter, most of the bleachers have been deserted all year long. The games became less and less about football, so as soon as the fun of the game wanes, everyone is gone. Football is supposed to unite as Saxons. We don’t stop being Saxons at half time.