In high schools across the country, student-made sports edits have gained rapid popularity by showing off their teams and capturing school spirit. At CHS, student FNL and Loud Crowd edits have especially captivated not only the student body but millions of viewers on social media.
Junior broadcasting student Ben Hampton plays a key role in the production of the Lancer Football edits. He shares that there is typically a team of around six students that produces an edit for that week’s varsity game, with each student having a designated role in the process.
“For the construction game, we had two people primarily shooting the football aspect of the game, like touchdowns and key plays,” Hampton said. “Then we have around three people shooting the Loud Crowd.”
Hampton shares that the most important part of making an edit is capturing the emotion on and off the field. To get these clips, his team must be attentive to the plays and dynamics of the game.
“A lot of it is in the moment,” Hampton said. “We have to aim for getting the touchdown, then getting the reaction to the touchdown from the coaches, players, and the Loud Crowd. Then, in between that, filming everyone else.”
One edit from last year’s Camo-themed football game has now accumulated 3.6 million likes on the CHS TikTok account. These edits play a key role in capturing the FNL atmosphere and driving student attendance.
“They’re a great recap, and a nice way to publicize the school’s spirit,” Hampton said. “It gets everyone engaged and excited about the rest of the season.”
Sophomore Sawyer Sanders, a broadcasting student, makes edits primarily for Carlsbad’s football team. His job includes photographing and filming the touchdowns, big plays, and emotion on the field.
“An edit can take a while, having to find the right clips, put them together, add sound, and edit the quality,” Sanders said. “It usually takes me around six or seven hours to finish a single edit.”
Sanders shares that while filming, a key feature he must focus on is making sure the sound gets captured. He especially incorporates “risers and flashers,” which are key tools in enhancing the video’s style and stimulating elements.
“You need good clips to make an edit, but without sound, it is impossible for the clip to look as good as it can,” Sanders said. “Adding in risers and flashers keeps the viewer’s attention on the clip while being able to hear the crowd’s reaction to the play in the background.”
Sanders and the other producers all have one goal in common: to spread the exhilarating atmosphere of CHS’s FNL games. By fusing trending elements with dramatic shots, edits have proven effective in spotlighting both the players and those behind the camera.
“The most rewarding part of making edits is getting to let everyone relive that night in video form,” Sanders said. “Everyone gets to experience the joy and emotion of a Friday night football game at CHS, no matter where you are.”
