On the chilly Friday evening of October 17th, Indian Hills families and fans all gathered together at Hank Boggio Field to commemorate the class of 2026’s football players, cheerleaders, and band members. Emotions were high, tears were shed, and hugs were exchanged between the seniors and their families and friends. It was a truly heartfelt night as the senior football players, cheerleaders, and band members were congratulated during the pregame ceremony before they performed for the school, the fans, and their families one last time under the Friday night lights.
The night began with the annual ceremony, where the seniors were honored and recognized for their hard work and dedication to their respective programs, as well as were all wished the best of luck in their future endeavors. The ceremony started with the seniors who were being honored lining up on one end of the field, and their families lining up on the other. As each senior’s name was called, they met with their family in the middle of the field, shared a quick hug or two, and then made their way to the arch of balloons that was set up to take a photo. It was an emotional ceremony for both the families and the seniors, as it was a final goodbye for them. It marked the last time the seniors would perform in front of their families under the Friday night lights. Graduating senior and offensive linemen Ryan Morrison stated that, “Being honored on senior night meant the world to me, I got to see my brother who lives in Pennsylvania and be together with my family. I felt very honored to be able to walk that walk with my family one last time.” The ceremony meant a lot to the seniors as they were thanked by the football, cheerleading, and band programs for everything they contributed over the course of their high school careers, as well as the seniors were able to celebrate the ceremony with those closest to them. Graduating senior and band member Michael Reisch said, “I thought it was nice to be honored, but I was happier to be with my family. I gave my brother my uniform hat to wear as we walked down, and I liked how it became more lighthearted and funny by doing that.” Another emotional moment was when senior cheerleader Ruby Cifarelli was joined by her family and best friend, Nicolina Altonjy.
As the ceremony concluded it was time for the actual game to commence, where the Braves faced off against the Ridgefield Park Scarlets. All the football team’s seniors met with the opposing team’s captains in the middle of the field for the coin toss, which was followed by the playing of the national anthem, and then the official kickoff to get the game underway. After a touchdown was scored in the first quarter by the Scarlets to take a 7-0 lead, the Braves responded big in the following quarter as senior running back Chase Deleon caught a touchdown pass thrown by junior quarterback Aidan Trainor to put Indian Hills on the board. “Scoring a touchdown on my very own senior night in front of all the fans was truly special to me,” Deleon commented. “Hearing the crowd roar made me realize how cool our fans really are.” After the score by the Braves, junior kicker Jack Birrier was able to make the extra point attempt, which tied both teams up 7-7.
During halftime, the cheerleading team took to the field to perform for the crowd. The cheer team performs their routine for every Braves football game at halftime; however, this one was a bit more special as it was the last Friday night lights routine performed by the senior cheerleaders. Graduating senior and cheerleader Miranda Civadelic stated that, “As we hit our routine on that field, it was a feeling of bittersweet sadness, knowing that I got the best 4 years possible with amazing coaches. Leaving the field and looking back as the rest of the team stepped off made me excited for all underclassmen’s future years, and sad knowing I have to leave them.” The girls put on an extraordinary routine, drawing tons of cheers and applause from the fans, as well as keeping them excited for the second half of the game. Civadelic continues, “Indian Hills Cheer has given me a family that will last a lifetime. It’s not only provided me with the opportunity to be a leader and to help others, but to make memories and friendships that’ll last past this team. The feeling of being under Friday Night Lights, summer practices, or at team bonding events is one that I will miss so much!”
The Indian Hills Marching Braves and their performance for the fans came shortly after the cheerleaders routine. Just like the cheer team, the band’s performance would be the last under the Friday night lights for the graduating seniors who were a part of the Marching Braves. The band was led by senior drum major Max McManus, who explained, “It meant a lot to me to be able to lead the band on my own senior night, knowing I’ve worked so hard to achieve the role of drum major. I have felt so honored to work with everyone in the band this year, and being able to conduct the show on senior night with my friends and family is definitely something I’ll remember for a long time.” Just like the cheer team, the band had an incredible performance receiving lots of cheers and pumping the crowd up even more. Senior band member Michael Reisch states that, “Throughout my years of marching band, I learned what it meant to be a team player and leader. I learned how to be a better musician as well and I ended up up writing music for the marching band. Without marching band, I would not be where I am today.” Besides Reisch, senior drum major Max McManus also feels that, “Being a part of the marching band here at Hills for the past 4 years has been one of the best experiences of my life. I get to spend time with amazing people, and I have met some of my best friends through the band. Working my way up to drum major was a huge accomplishment for me, and I am extremely grateful that I am able to have the role of drum major this season.” The seniors for both the cheer team and the band will forever have made their marks with the programs that they were a part of, and will all be heavily missed in the following years.
The second half of the game went by a bit quicker than the first as neither team scored any points throughout both third and fourth quarters, leading to overtime. The Scarlets received the ball first in overtime and obtained a touchdown to go up one score on the Braves, but missed their extra point try leaving them only up six. Unfortunately Indian Hills wasn’t able to score, which ended the game and resulted in a 13-7 loss for the Braves to Ridgefield Park.
Regardless of the outcome however, the Braves Football team still finished the season with a winning record of 6-5. The class of 2026 senior football players will always be remembered within the program because of their lasting impact on the team. Senior running back Chase Deleon says, “We had our ups and downs, yet at the end of the day, we were always a brotherhood and a family. The past two seasons have been the two best seasons of my life, and I wouldn’t trade them for the world. Playing with my guys one last time will always be one of the most special moments in my life.” Along with Deleon, senior offensive linemen Ryan Morrison also expressed, “It felt super weird to play in my final game. It made me super emotional to see the clock hit 00:00 and us seniors knew we wouldn’t play football again. If I had the chance to go back I wouldn’t have changed a thing. I loved every practice with my boys and all the adversity we overcame.”
Although the game didn’t end the way that most hoped it would, it was still a memorable night for all the graduating senior football players, cheerleaders, and band members. They each got to show out one final time under the lights they’ve always been under, and on a day they’ve always performed on. They have forever solidified themselves in their programs, as well as in Indian Hills history, truly bringing meaning to the school wide saying: once a brave, always a brave.