ESCONDIDO – Friday night lights shined brightly on September 19, 2014. The CAHS Varsity football team played an away game against Orange Glen High School. This was the first time that the football team played a CIF Division Four school. CAHS held OGHS to their lowest winning score of the season thus far, 16-14, Patriots.

Defensive tackle, senior Ethan Barnett felt confident about the team’s performance prior to the game. “It’s gonna be a lot of fun. I think it’ll be a learning experience…winning is not the important thing, it’s that we stick together, play hard through all four quarters, and shake their [opponent team’s] hands at the end of the game,” Barnett said.

Throughout the game, the Caimans held a steady pace that proved difficult to compete against.

Starting the game strong, Classical’s defense allowed the Patriots to make just one touchdown during the first quarter. CAHS counteracted this with a touchdown by senior Mark Fuson early in the second quarter, celebrated with an eruption of frantic cheering, chanting and fist-pumping from the stands.

“[The atmosphere] was pretty wild. It was definitely more packed than usual,” junior Gabriella Mammia said.

By halftime, both teams were tied.

During the third quarter, Orange Glen gained another touchdown. Running back, senior Blaine Fletcher scored a touchdown during the last few seconds of the quarter. CAHS failed to complete a two-point conversion and came up two points behind Orange Glen.

Neither team made any points during the fourth quarter, ultimately ending the game with the score: 16-14, Patriots.

“As a team, we are mentally focused and everyone tries to live by the team motto ‘play as one,’” halfback, senior Ryley Racciato said. “We were disappointed about the loss and individual mistakes, but we kept our heads held high and now we are more prepared and ready to play our next game against Sage Hill.”