Bright lights, pink sunset, and stands full of masked fans. The Meridian Hawks football team played against the Shelbyville Rams in the homecoming game Friday, March 26. This was the first home game of the season.

During halftime, the homecoming court was introduced, along with the 2021 King and Queen Austin Clark and Hallie Gates. The marching band played the school song and a collection of other songs they have practiced this year. After going into overtime 21-21, Shelbyville won against Meridian 29-21. Junior, Lucus Clapp, number 21, scored the first touchdown of the game after the first kick-off.

“It felt great, [scoring the first touchdown], it brought a lot of energy to the team,” Clapp said. “It’s just good to see everyone excited and motivated for the rest of the game.”

Things were back and forth between teams for most of the first half of the game. With the ball stuck to the line, the Hawks managed to get it to the 35-yard line. A deep run from Clapp brought the team closer to their end zone at the end of the first quarter. Junior, Drew Hurelbrink, number 14, ran the ball an additional 21 yards on the first down. The Rams scored a field goal in their first down of the second quarter, and the Hawks scored a field goal soon after.

“We’ve been sitting out for a whole year now; we’ve come back everything starting up so quick,” Hurelbrink said. “I think we’re gonna come back, pick our heads up, and win.”

At halftime, the marching band was able to perform on the field, playing familiar songs to fans. The court was introduced, with the mini King and Queen, attendants for the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior classes, and King and Queen. Though there is no dance, students like, senior, Crystal Sheumaker say they are “thankful for the opportunity to participate in something instead of nothing.”

Hurelbrink scored another touchdown in the third quarter, with Clapp scoring a field goal right after. The game stayed close throughout the third and fourth quarters. In the last 30 seconds, the score was tied 21-21. The clock ran out and the game went into overtime. Both teams played hard, and each crowd cheered their team on. Shelbyville scored a touchdown and a field goal then put the final score at 29-21. Players like Clapp and, junior, Wyatt Latham, number 51, made comments on their team’s defense.

“I think with this year’s team we could really win a lot of games,” Latham said. “Our team effort was there, we just have to show Meridian’s not going to be a joke the next few years. [Our best thing was] communicating, we were always talking, just being loud, because it’s important to get that support.”

The JV Hawks will take on the Rams on Monday, March 29 at home.