29 games.

116 quarters.

1,392 minutes of game action.

1,075 days.

That’s how long it had been since the Redhawks last won a game in 2021, a first round playoff win over Forney.

Now, after Thursday’s 28-7 win, the counter is reset and a thirst for a win is finally quenched.

From the team, to the cheerleaders, to the fans in the stands, it’s a win that will likely be remembered for years to come.

The players 

“Breaking the losing streak was great, we’re celebrating this weekend,” senior Brian Chandler said. “We weren’t finding a lot of success in the past couple years, but [last night] was great.”

Winless since 2021, nobody on this year’s varsity team had ever won a game playing for the Redhawks.

“It feels amazing I’m not going to lie, because it’s been three years since we won a game,” senior Ke’mari Daniels said. “[This win] meant everything, it meant the world. This is senior year, my final year, this was our last chance, and it was the best feeling ever. I think [what was different] was the morale. There was more energy, I was fired up, everybody was just fired up. After the locker room talk, everybody came out after the second-half and just executed.”

Leading the way for the Redhawks was senior Khaleb Cooper who finished with 186 yards rushing and the game’s opening score on the first play of the game.

“It was amazing,” Cooper said. “I had never seen any of the people so hyped. We made so many TikTok videos, we posted a lot of stuff, we got a bunch of pictures, and they were yelling the whole bus drive back. Some people lost their voices, and now some people are sick, which I don’t know how that happened; even coach Swinnea was crying.”

The head coach

For players, coaches, and students, the win was a long time coming, especially for head coach Matt Swinnea.

“Somebody after this game asked where this ranked as far as wins go, and I have been a part of 383 football games as a coach, but I think this was the most emotionally charged and best win,” said Swinnea. “It’s been so long, and just to see the guys I was so happy for them and the coaches. It was epic.”

Players and students were charged with energy after the final whistle blew, but Swinnea took the moment to reflect, bringing him to tears.

“I cried,” Swinnea said. “Like I said, it was the most emotional game I have ever been a part of. I’m weeping right now. It was huge. I think this teaches us all to keep fighting the fight, good things happen eventually, and you don’t know when it is, but it will come when you least expect it.”

The student section

Tears shed and voices gone, the student section is still reminiscing about the one-of-a-kind moment.

“We broke a curse like all the football players said,” senior Lily Gibbons said. “In the stands, we were so hype. We might have gotten in trouble but everyone was just really excited to see our players win. Everybody was crying, it was something to remember.”

A core memory was made for junior Luke Bishop, as he witnessed his first ever football win.

“From middle school on, I’ve never seen a football team win,” Bishop said. “It was the best day of my life. It was just a fun time for the whole student body and all the athletes, and it was a great game to watch.”

The cheerleaders

During the losing streak, there was one group tasked with keeping spirits up: the cheerleaders. But Thursday’s game wasn’t like the previous 29.

“The energy was through the roof,” senior Breanna Fields said. “We were so excited. Because especially being a cheerleader we’re supposed to have the energy, and people are supposed to feed off our energy, but the fact that they were feeding off the players energy; this time it was different.”

Every game, the cheerleaders bring a beatbox playing the football team’s hype song, “Bring Em Out,” by T.I.

Post-game, a different song could be heard from the box, one sung by all.

“It’s supposed to be like a joke, and we play like our song before every game,” senior Mackenzie Nelson said. “So it was really really fun when we got to experience a win and play “We Are the Champions” [by Queen].”

The drill team

Usually on the field before the game and during halftime, the drill team performs, but this time, the dancers stormed the field after the win, celebrating with the cheer and football team.

“That was so special,” Red Rhythm President senior Tierany Scott said. “Because I feel like it’s a once in a while opportunity. I begged my director to [storm the field], and she finally gave in and said yes. It was very freeing and exciting.”

An exciting moment for herself, Scott knew the win meant more to the players.

“I was just really proud of our football players for pulling in and pulling through,” Scott said. “Our senior year, and proving that like with hard work and with the right mindset you can push through and win.”

 The band 

At every football game, the band can be found cheering on the team. The band creates the noise, intimidates the other team, and sets the energy in the stadium. After showing up game after game during the losing streak, the school’s musicians were hyped up after every touchdown that brought them closer to victory.

For percussionist senior Claire Graham, the feeling inside the stadium was on a different level.

“For the first time in three years, we have won a freaking game,” Graham said. “It was actually really great because everyone was just more hyped. We got to play the fight song way more so it was just a different energy. Everybody was screaming and when we went down to go do head-choppers [our team] was ahead.”

Clarinet player, senior Matthew Hung, felt sentimental after the team’s win, feeling like senior year can conclude with a bang.

“We got more and more excited and started screaming more, out voices started getting hoarse,” Hung said. “It’s really exciting as we haven’t won since my freshman year. There’s been lots of ups and downs.”

The athletic trainers

The team behind the team, the athletic trainers put in the work every game to support the health of the football team. Seeing their hard work also pay off meant a lot to senior Ailie Plaks.

“It meant a lot to us knowing that our dedication to helping people out and helping especially the football players out especially after three years,” Plaks said.

While still doing their job, the trainers were a part of the game getting just as excited as the crowd.

“[The energy] was very high, I feel like for us especially,” Plaks said. “Especially for us, it’s different because we’re like running around a lot, and like doing everything, and especially last night it was a lot because all the coaches were like all over the place.”

Administration

Principal Stacey Whaling got to check something off her bucket list: her first Redhawks win as school principal.

“I’m just so excited for the athletes who deserve a win because they work so hard every single day,” Whaling said. “The coaches who work so hard for the kids, the most meaningful thing is watching them enjoy the fruits of their labors. Getting to feel that pride and their biggest fans, their families, and their peers just celebrating.”

Long time teacher and now Assistant Principal Richard Sabatier also enjoyed the win from the sideline.

“It’s been a while since we got a win and so it was really cool to see the students, the band, the players, Red Rhythm, cheer, and color guard, everyone to celebrate that win,” Sabatier said. “The student section went crazy at the end, it was really exciting. I was jumping up and down, also. I like to see my team win.”

This story was originally published on Wingspan on October 25, 2024.