The varsity football team defeated Blue Valley Southwest at the DAC in the Homecoming Game Sept. 30, 42-35. The team was led by junior tight end Jackson Heath, who had three touchdown receptions, including a go-ahead 10 yard touchdown reception in overtime. Heath also recorded a game-ending sack during the BVSW drive in overtime.

Heath said this was the best game he had ever played. Heath said his sack to end the game was much needed and a play the coaching staff had prepared the team for all throughout the week.

“It was amazing, I haven’t played a game like that in a long time, maybe not ever,” Heath said.

Head coach Mike Zegunis said the team’s ability to bounce back and fight through adversity was shown during this game.  

“We had a lot of kids go down with injury,” Zegunis said. “We had a lot of things happen that we had to bounce back from; it just shows you we’ve got a pretty resilient bunch, a group that stuck together there at the end and managed to pull it out.”

Heath said the team was in desperate need of a win for this game after starting out the season with a 1-3 record. Heading into their game against Gardner Edgerton next week, Heath said the team needs to build the confidence found during this game and prepare similarly next week in how they prepared this week.

“We’ve got to build the confidence again [next week against Gardner Edgerton],” Heath said. “We prepared really well for [BVSW].”  

Zegunis said a key to Heath’s success was his ability as a big target and the ability of sophomore quarterback Jacob Clark to get him the ball.

“[Heath]’s definitely a weapon for us so we try to utilize him as much as possible,” Zegunis said. “We saw that [BVSW] were kind of playing off him a little bit and we felt we could take advantage of that.”

With the win, BVNW is now 2-3 this season. Their next game will be Oct. 7 at Garner Edgerton High School.

During halftime, the nominees for Homecoming King and Queen were recognized on the field and the winners were announced. Senior Jackson Forbes was chosen by the student body as Homecoming King. Forbes said he was very shocked and surprised by the announcement.

“I’m just so happy I got nominated for Homecoming King and I won,” Forbes said. “I was excited. I was just happy.”  

Homecoming Queen was awarded to senior Sarah Callahan. Callahan said that when she was originally nominated she felt extremely taken back and being crowned was even more of an achievement.

“I was very surprised [to be queen], I didn’t even think I’d be nominated, so winning was a huge deal and a huge honor,” Callahan said.