Friday nights under the lights have brought many DGS students together throughout the years, even through the wins and the losses. Sophomore Jillian Myers is a big fan of the games and enjoys seeing the school come together.
“It’s the only time you get to see everyone in one spot,” Myers said.
The stadium bleachers have the capacity to fit 3,000 people on the home side and 750 on the visitor side. DGS students have quickly realized that to get a “good” spot, or even get a spot, they should show up just an hour before the game is supposed to start.
“I usually get there around 6:30 p.m. to watch the end of the sophomore game and pregame stuff so I can get a good spot,” Myers said.
Even though the varsity team consists of mainly juniors and seniors, the student sections pack in fast, leaving students to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with each other or even at some points on an angle to just fit in.
“I feel like every grade has a lot of people that go to them. I can’t say an exact number, but I feel like the majority of grades,” junior Ariella Urias said.
There have been seven scheduled home games this year, the most in a while for DGS. One of the most anticipated games for students, the cannon game at Hinsdale South, took place on Sept. 29. Junior Andrew Waterman explains how the one game is his favorite.
“Probably the Hinsdale South game because it’s a very competitive game, and there are always a lot of people there supporting the football team,” Waterman said.
Generally speaking, DGS students have only one complaint about the games: when the student section gets boring or when people don’t participate in the chants.
“The worst parts are when no one is cheering, which makes the energy of the game low,” Urias said.
The excitement and socialization that happens on Friday nights have created the special bonds that DGS students have with each other. With the packed stands and chats, students have something to look forward to at the end of each week
“I love football games. It gives something to look forward to during the week, and it gets me through the week,” Myers said.
The “best” part of the football games for these students are the opportunities for connections with other students.
“It’s a good way to meet new people, you can get stuck next to anyone and conversations just start happening; it’s not like we’re gonna sit in silence. Throughout the year so far I have made many new friends that I wouldn’t have if I didn’t go to the games,” Waterman said.
