Oct 7, 2016 marked Carlsbad High School’s annual Homecoming football game. The players went into the game ready for a tough fight anticipating to dominate one of Carlsbad’s biggest rivals; the Oceanside High School pirates.

Within the first few minute, the Pirate’s scored a touchdown. At 7:14, senior Seth Ketterer scored a field goal bringing the score to 7-3 Oceanside.

“Before the game, Coach MacNeal gave the team a really good peptalk. It really got us all pumped up and ready to go,” senior Trent Nyberg said. “We definitely had all practiced a lot harder than usual so I think everyone had their head in the game.”

With 1:20 left in the first quarter, sophomore Asa Turner completed a catch at the 25 yard line. The lancer’s then struggled at the touchdown attempt.

“I am more of a lead by example person so the way I lead the team in the Homecoming game is that I tried to make as many plays as possible so that others will feel my hype and join me in making plays,” senior Jason Siaosi said.

Oceanside made an interception with 1:45 left in the second quarter. The Pirate’s made another touchdown with 12 seconds left in the first half of the game bringing the score to 14-3, Oceanside.

“I definitely felt more pressured that we needed to win this game, not only for the team, but the students as well.” Siaosi said.

During the halftime performance, homecoming king Siddharth Bhatia and queen Melissa Kay were presented along with the rest of homecoming court. They had a short performance along with all of the dance groups, band, and color guard.

“It is honestly so weird to think that this was my last high school homecoming game that I will play in.” Siaosi said. “I remember being so young and thinking that high school is so far away and now my senior year is almost over and I am not really sure how to take it all in.” Siaosi said.

With seven minutes left in the third quarter, the Pirate’s increased the score to 21-3 with another touchdown. With another quarter left to complete, the Lancer’s hung on to the final minutes and remained focused for the remainder of the game.

“I feel disappointed and dissatisfied with our overall play,” senior Mikey Crowley said. “We practice hard, extremely hard. And for us to go out and not show, was embarrassing for many.” 

The Lancer’s continued the fight with an interception with 1:43 remaining on the clock in the third quarter. With 8:49 left on the clock in the fourth quarter, Nyberg earned the Lancers a touchdown. A few minutes later, with 4:44 left in the game, senior Jeremy Cooper scored another touchdown ending the game with a total of 16-21, Oceanside.

“The whole night between Homecoming court and playing in the Homecoming game was definitely a lot of work,” Nyberg said. “But it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I will never forget it.”