The Homecoming football game is often
seen as a Friday night tradition, played
under stadium lights after the sun has set.
However, PHS’s rendition of homecoming
this year will look markedly different.
Originally scheduled to be played last
weekend on September 26, the game was
delayed until October 17 due to heavy rain.
Both game dates scheduled Homecoming
for a Saturday afternoon, deviating from
the Friday night tradition.

According to Principal Cecilia Birge, the
decision was a result of scheduling conflicts,
who attributed the change to a combination
of factors beyond the unforseen weather.

“There was a significant referee shortage
in the state,” said Birge. “So that’s what drove
the decision to make it into Saturday.”

The decision to move kickoff to the
daytime was largely the product of budget
constraints. Coordinating the necessary
support from volunteers, teachers, and
custodial staff, paired with the event’s steep
financial price tag, made the logistics of a
Friday night game unsustainable, according
to both PHS Director of Athletics Brian
Dzbenski and Birge. Dzbenski estimated
the price tag of the single night game to be
approximately $26,000.

“There are lots of moving parts when
you organize a community-wide event,
and we simply just couldn’t pull it off from
a logistic perspective,” said Birge. “Lights
[have become] a lot more expensive...and
we always rent lights.”

Although the daytime setting might
alleviate financial pressures, the change in
atmosphere has become a concern for the
team. According to quarterback Quinton
deFaria ’28, the hype around Homecoming
is a big moment for the team, especially the
seniors.

“I bet the [seniors are] way more frustrated
than I am.” said deFaria. “It’s their last
chance to really have a Friday night [game]
at home, and I bet it’s frustrating for them
because they’ve had some good seasons
coming into it.”

Indeed, the climate of the game won’t just
be noticeable to the players; rather, it will
force supporters to adapt.
“It’s one of the bigger games of the year
for us,” said deFaria. “It’s [this] kind of the
atmosphere that [players and fans] feel.
Because, you know, under the lights at a home
game when you have the whole school in the
stands, it’s one of the most surreal feelings,
to be honest.”

In the future, there is still a possibility that
Homecoming will return to the traditional
nighttime kickoff.

“Next year, we’ll have a better chance to
get a night event,” said Birge. “But, beyond
that, I don’t know because each year the
schedule changes...we [also] continue
to struggle with budget constraints and
transportation costs.”


Similar to the changes surrounding the
game, the events proceeding the game have
also been significantly modified. In the
past, PHS hosted a dance for students to
attend after the game, a nearly universal
tradition across high schools in the
country. However, this year will feature
events such as a Spikeball tournament and
a movie, both of which will be organized
by our Student Council. Shaan Patel ’29,
the sophomore class president, explains
that the decision, however, isn’t related
to costs.

“In recent years, we struggled heavily
with getting students from all four grades to
come,” said Patel. “It is very heavily freshman
populated, and some sophomores will come.
But besides that, juniors and seniors don’t
really find it compelling.”

Therefore, they decided to redirect their
efforts into new events. Specifically, they
believe that the movie will be a success
amongst the student body.

“We’re putting flyers around that
promote both the homecoming football
game and the movie itself,” said Patel “I
don’t think there’s a solid replacement to
the Friday night football game...but I think
this is very close second. If we can find a
way to get a lot of people there, then it can
be just as good for our school spirit and
our collaboration across all four grades.”

Ultimately, the long standing
Homecoming tradition still attempts to live
on at PHS—albeit in a new form. The new
date, October 17, will coincide also with
the previously planned Senior Day, meaning
that seniors will experience a unique
combination of events for Homecoming
game.While the football team hopes that
the game returns under the lights, they will
still be depending on the community to turn
out and show their support.

“When you see the true school spirit that
comes out of it ... it’s a chance for the whole
school to come together as one and just
support a team that’s been working really
hard,” said deFaria.

Photo: Winston Jung

After being disqualified from last year’s playoffs, the PHS football team is trying to make the playoffs once more. The rescheduled homecoming game against Trenton on October 17 will be crucial in determining guaranteeing a spot and determining their seeding once the playoffs start.

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