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The field glowed with pink spirit and emotion – a night of honor, awareness and unforgettable memories as the Wildcats fell to the Rams on senior night.

The last home football game and senior celebration took place on Oct. 10, 2025 at West Chicago Community High School’s Memorial Field, recognizing seniors from the football, dance, and cheer teams. With flags waving and emotions high, the Wildcats lost to Glenbard East.

Before the game began, the football team honored its senior players during a pre-game ceremony. Every senior was recognized for their contribution to the team as they were escorted by their family members. They celebrated years of dedication, teamwork, and leadership on and off the field.

Senior Ean Arizmendi suffered an injury that took him out for the season, he shared special moment and what he will miss about football.

“I’m going to miss all the practices and having fun playing the games,”Arizmendi said.

“My favorite memory was last year against Ridgewood because it was a close game and coming out with the win felt good and better than any other game,” Arizmendi said.

After the ceremony, the Wildcats prayed and hoped for good luck as they lined up along the end zone for the last time to watch the marching band play the national anthem.

Glenbard East set the tone in the first quarter, scoring one touchdown and earning an extra point. The Wildcats fought back, but failed to make a touchdown after the Rams stopped them on a third down.

At the 40-yard line, senior Trevor Sweeney fell to the ground but managed to recover the ball for the Wildcats – a small victory that energized the crowd.

Shortly after Sweeney recovered the ball senior Emanuel Lopez was almost tackled as he tried to block the Rams from scoring a touchdown.

“In that moment, I was thinking that I had to get the ball to try and stop Glenbard East from scoring to give the ball back to our offense,” Lopez said.

Junior William Zbierski was tackled by the Rams’ Montii Perry, a junior, as the Wildcats scrambled to ensure the Rams did not regain possession of the ball.

Beyond the field, other senior groups also took their final bows. Pom-poms shined under the lights, with brass and silver behind. The dance team took to the field for their last football game as they performed with the marching band.

“My dance team experience was so much more than I could ever ask for. I waited until sophomore year to join but wish I could have had all four years! Every year there was a new coach which was difficult to deal with, but it ended up working out. Our team this year has never looked better (shoutout Coach Sophie)! I have made so many memories and gained lots of new friendships!” senior Lia Mazurski said via text.

Photo by Joselyn Duran Corona

With the slight breeze filling the October air, the cheer team sent their flyers skyward, executing stunning stunts displaying strength, balance, and teamwork.

As the music played, the senior cheerleaders performed their last routine for the football season, a finale to the 2025-26 chapter filled with spirit and sisterhood. 

“I will mostly miss getting ready and eating with the team before games and just having a good time. I will miss running out to the field to perform and the small pep talk we all give each other before we start,” senior Ny’Ara Tate said.

Senior Diego Hernandez prepared for his final marching band performance, marking the end of his high school career.

Senior Analuz Cuatzo ended her marching band journey on a high note with a powerful final performance of “Evil Ways.”

After halftime, the Wildcats came back to the field, hoping to score more touchdowns and bring the team’s spirit up.

“I was honestly just looking for a spark for the team. Being down the whole game was tough so I was trying to do whatever I could to light the team’s spirit,’’ senior quarterback Carter Naranjo said

Although sophomore Derek Murphy caught the ball at the 40-yard line in an attempt to make a touchdown, he was stopped at the 10-yard line by senior David Salgado of the Rams.

During the third quarter, Naranjo managed to score a touchdown, but the Wildcats were still falling behind, and the clock seemed to run faster than usual.

The game ended with sadness and anger, according to several coaches, who were unwilling to speak to the Chronicle immediately after the loss. Though not the outcome the Wildcats hoped, for they played hard, and fought to the end.