2. Upon arriving to the football
stadium, we had to buy tickets to
enter. There were two ticket
booths: One for the home team
and one for the opposing team.
There were people before us, so
we had to wait in line. We
arrived early, so there were not
very many people before us. We
each received a paper ticket with
the date and teams’ names
written on them. When entering,
our tickets were taken from us.
3. The home team is seen
taking its first steps
onto the field while
putting on their
helmets. This was one
of the only close-ups
we were able to
capture because fans
are not allowed on the
field once the game
starts. Here we can see
their crimson and gray
uniforms.
4. Before the game, both
teams were warming up.
Even though they had
priorly had a month of
training, they were using
their last minutes to prepare.
They did physical exercises
and practiced throwing and
catching the ball as the fans
began filling the stadium.
Top: Huntington Park Spartans
Bottom: Van Nuys Wolves
5. While the football players
warmed up on the field, the
members of the marching
band were practicing their
own warm up tunes. They
are seen here in an
organized formation with
their hats on the floor which
are only worn when they are
actually performing. There
were red plums on the hats
which matched that of the
school colors. The members
were dressed in ornate
uniforms. The readiness of
the marching band was
important for the team
because the band was going
to support and cheer on the
players.
6. The marching band, drill team, and the football players stood in two
lines while the band awaited for the signal to begin playing the Star-
Spangled Banner. The instruments and flags are laid out on the
ground. When the signal was given, they picked up the instruments
starting from the left, creating an interesting wave.
7. Once the national anthem,
the Star-Spangled Banner
began, everyone present
for the game stood up as a
sign of respect. They put
their right hands on their
hearts, took off their hats,
and faced the flag of the
United States of America.
Here we see the head of
the JROTC participating in
the ritual of the anthem.
8. Two weeks before the
game, Terry Stoller, one of
the economics teachers at
Van Nuys High School
who also served as an
announcer during the
games for many years,
had a stroke and passed
away. A moment of silence
was held in his honor.
Here we can see the
audience standing up in
his memory.
9. When it was announced that the team would play this season in his honor,
the football team raised their helmets, the cheerleaders raised their pom-
poms, and the audience cheered along.
10. The highest-ranking
JROTC members
marched before the
crowd. They held the
flags of the country and
the state and wooden
guns. They wore
matching cadet uniforms
and different-colored
badges.
11. The first touch
down was made
by Van Nuys.
During the second
quarter one of the
Van Nuys players
got tackled and
was injured. Since
he could not get
up, the football
team got down on
their knees until
he was able to
walk off the field.
The crowd
clapped and
cheered as he
left.
12. After the second quarter, the band and drill team
performed for the half-time show. They were being led
by the conductor standing on the podium. The drill
team is seen spinning the flags. The boxes in the front
spell out “Van Nuys”.
13. Traditionally, foods served at
football games are hot dogs,
burgers, chips, nachos,
candies, and soda. In the
picture, we see people
cooking meat and preparing
the burgers. On the left are
the condiments, such as
ketchup, mustard, pickles,
and onions. After half-time,
the food sellers were trying
to attract more customers by
reducing the price.
14. There was a diversity of people in the audience. Some had face paintings and were
eagerly participating by cheering for the team, such as the man in the blue on the
right end. Meanwhile, others were distracted by the cell phones, such as the woman
directly below him.
15. The most encouraging
group in the audience was
the marching band. They
played a tune to every
touchdown. They also
played when the other
team had the ball in order
to distract them while
cheering on their own
team. The drill team joined
the band on the bleachers
and cheered on the team
as well. In the foreground,
we see the drums playing.
In the background, a girl
enthusiastically plays the
trumpet and dances along.
16. Van Nuys High School lost to Huntington Park with a score of 26 to 31. Despite their
loss, they showed great sportsmanship. Both teams formed lines and all the players
shook hands with each other. The cheerleaders stood helplessly on the track because
the game was over and they could no longer cheer their team to a win.
