Spirits are up and energy is high for the upcoming Homecoming games on Friday, October 14th, and Saturday, October 15th. Girl’s volleyball looks to take on a tough opponent on Friday, while field hockey, football, and soccer will look to get a win on Saturday.

Quaker Volleyball led by team Captain Jocelyn Nathan ‘23 is looking forward to facing Saint Andrews at 5:30 p.m. in the West Gym. Homecoming has brought the volleyball team many great memories. “We have historically won our homecoming games,” says Nathan ‘23. Quaker Volleyball is looking to keep up this tradition and get a win on the 14th.

The Quaker Field Hockey team is looking forward to taking on Saint Andrews at 10:00 a.m. Saturday morning. After defeating Saint Andrews for homecoming last year (1-0) Quaker Field Hockey will look to get the job done for the second year in a row. Senior and Captain Sophie Brennan ‘23 has many memories from past homecoming games, “I remember watching the field hockey game when I was in 4th or 5th grade and someone on the team got thrown out in a quarter and everyone on the sideline got super excited.”

Quaker Football is hyped up for their homecoming game. Originally the Quakers were going to be facing A.I. Dupont, but their season was cut short due to a lack of players, so WFS will take on Mt. Zion Preparatory Academy (MD) at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 15th. This game will be located on Tattersall Field.  Robby Tattersall ‘23 shares his favorite homecoming memory, “Last year my brother Ryan threw a touchdown pass, so that was probably my favorite moment.” The team currently has a 6-0 record, as they aim to possess another win.

Boy’s Soccer is excited for their homecoming game on Saturday, October 15th at 1:00 p.m. against Tatnall. Senior and Captain Alessio Cristanetti-Walker ‘23 shares his favorite memory from a past homecoming game. “Last year, my junior year, we played Conrad and we won 4-0, and I scored a hattrick.” (Cristanetti-Walker ‘23) Quaker soccer looks to go out strong and take home another win on Saturday the 15th.

Being an athlete changes the entire homecoming experience. “As the field hockey team we have to get up early and go to the game but it makes us bond and we are up and at ’em for the rest of the homecoming day,” Brennan ‘23 explains. Something about being on the field helps you experience homecoming to the fullest. “Being an athlete makes the homecoming experience more real because you get to be a part of the big celebration. You have the dance where everyone goes, but being an athlete you have your own event” says Nathan ‘23. 

A big part of the homecoming experience is attending all of the games. “The importance of attending the football game is that these games bring out the hard work everyone puts in. The football team only plays one game a week, so it can be tough to make it to the games. I am a quaker sports advocate, so I try to go to as many games as possible and I think it is important for everyone to support each other” says Tattersall ‘23. Students believe that the Homecoming games are the most important games all season. “It is important to provide as much support as possible. Homecoming comes around once a year, so it’s important to get as many people to all the games to create that special atmosphere,” Cristanetti-Walker ‘23 explains.

Homecoming is a meaningful event for many, but especially for the seniors who are experiencing their last homecoming game at their high school. “It’s going to be a little bittersweet, having been at Friends since first grade I have been to a lot of homecomings and the fact that this is going to be my last one is bittersweet,” says Tattersall ‘23. “I enjoy the homecoming game because everybody comes out hard to play and ready to win and we have a tremendous amount of success on that day because of the spirit of the school,” says head Field Hockey coach Scott Clothier. Homecoming is more than just sports games and a dance. Homecoming brings together the community.