With cars lining up street blocks and the entire DGS parking lot, the Downers Grove community was prepared for a special event. On Friday, Sept. 5, DGS played its biggest rival, DGN. Although DGS was defeated by 41 points, the entire community came out together to watch the game and support their team.
Senior Football Managers Jenna Malon and London Lee were excited for the game and had made many preparations together with the football team.
“The boys worked really hard; they’ve been training all week. I know us as managers have had to clean and wash [their uniforms] and get their wristbands ready,” Malon said.
These wristbands contain all of the DGS’s plays on them. While players were preparing physically for the game, the football managers took care of all the other things. From washing uniforms to laminating wristbands, the managers were preparing and excited for the game just as much as the players.
“The boys are really hyped, and we’re just overall really excited. I’ve been a football manager for 3 years now, and the community that we build [brings me back every year]. [We bring] two completely different sides of Downers Grove together and create this environment that nurtures healthy competition and creates an environment that is amazing for everybody,” Malon said.
The competitive and amusing atmosphere is what the football managers expressed as their favorite part of the Crosstown game. Football managers Yana Tspar and Ariana Karapetyan were also excited to watch the game unfold, as this was the first game on DGS’s turf since the 2024 renovations.
“We’re all community 99, but it’s a way to have a little ‘friendly’ competition. It’s like a family rivalry going on, I think it’s so lively. I think the DGN game is probably the time we mostly have people in the stands; this is my favorite game,” Lee said.
Similar to the football managers, Senior Kaz Glass is in the DGS marching band and plays the synthesizer. They love marching for their school and were enthusiastic about the crosstown game.
“It allows are two schools to interact in this setting. It’s really fun, even if we lose horrendously. It’s fun to play at the games, and I always enjoy cheering on the team,” Glass said.
DGN Senior Lucia Madden came from her home stadium to cheer on her team.
“I’m excited to see South get beat. [The game] gives us a good moment to be excited and be proud of our school, and I think the rivalry’s fun.
Similar to DGS’s stands, the DGN stands were absolutely packed. Both sides were shouting, chanting and cheering for their team when they scored.
Principal Arwen Lyp also supported her school at the crosstown game, staying very close to the sideline.
“I love the crosstown game. I woke up this morning with so much energy and so much excitement. I love seeing our whole entire community together. My favorite part is watching our student section cheer and bond and come out in theme,” Lyp said.
“I think it just offers an unbelievable sense of community. No matter what the outcome of the game is, I think that DGS is the best and that we have the best student section, and that this is absolutely the best community in the entire country to watch a football game in,” Lyp said.
Senior SuperFan Ryan Yednock comes out to support DGS along with his friends in SuperFans. They can often be identified as the students with American flags running through the giant football helmet before DGS home games.
“I got a lot of friends on the team, so I always like coming out to see them. I also just enjoy football, so I love to watch it at home, that’s what I do,” Yednock said.
Cheering enthusiastically from the bleachers, Yednock and the SuperFans led chants for the entire student section, exemplifying their pride as DGS students.
“We show up to all the games and we’re here for the team. I think it keeps people engaged in school, rather than just going to school and doing your homework, I think it kinda gets you involved,” said Yednock.
Despite DGS’s loss against DGN, Downers Grove came together for one night to celebrate the community, school spirit and a love of football.