Every year, students and players at ETHS eagerly anticipate one special game: the Homecoming football game. But Homecoming is more than just football. It’s all about school spirit, pride, and the rivalry between ETHS and New Trier. The energy is always high, but this year, there’s one big change. Instead of the usual Friday night lights, the game has been moved to Saturday afternoon.
Football head coach Miles Osei decided to make the switch to help get the team ready for Saturday’s playoff games.
“I wanted the kids to experience what it feels like to play in the playoffs. I asked the team ‘Who has played in a varsity game during the day on the weekend’, and almost no one raised their hand, so it is a unique experience that the kids get to have,” stated Coach Osei.
The benefits of the Saturday football game extend beyond playoff preparation. The team feels it may improve their chances of staying concentrated, including star defensive player Mike Pryor.
“I think it might help us focus better,” said Pryor. “On a Friday night, the stands are packed, and we’re rushing from the end of the school day straight into game prep. With a Saturday afternoon game, we’ll have more time to prepare and clear our heads before kickoff.”
Focus will be a key part of the game for the Kits, since emotions will be high when facing long-time rival New Trier. With the Kits holding a three-year winning streak against the Trevians, the team is looking to extend its dominance, while the Trevians will be trying to break the streak and get back in the win column.
“It’s a game that a lot of kids have circled on their calendars; it means a lot to them,” said Coach Osei. “It’s a cross-town rivalry with a lot of history behind it. My message to the team has been that they need to put in the work during the week if they want to earn the reward on Saturday.”
As Homecoming approaches, it’s clear that ETHS has grown a lot over the course of the season so far. Coach Osei highlights the team’s willingness to adapt and improve despite challenges.
“What I’m most proud of is how willing the players have been to change,” Osei said. “Building new habits isn’t easy; it’s tough for anyone. The players see the team’s potential, and now it’s about putting in the work to reach it.”
Coming into the game, the Kits are 1-5 (0-2) and New Trier is 3-3 (1-1).
Even with the changes within the team and the game time, the school spirit and the homecoming traditions will be the same.
“I think that it is unique that the staff and students make it really feel like homecoming here at ETHS. Even when you are walking down the halls, you can tell how proud the students are to be a Wildkit. That’s really special,” said Osei.
