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Sophomore Parks Ratzlaff runs the ball down the field during the Kingston vs Coalgate game. The Redskins had a 55-6 victory for their Homecoming game. Mindi Weeks
September 29 marked the anticipated homecoming week for Kingston High School, and a display of traditions showed off school spirit. Kingston’s deep-rooted pride in its school was on full display, from spirited dressup days to an exciting school parade to a community bonfire pep rally, all culminating in the superb homecoming game.
The week kicked off with “In a Simple Rhyme,” in which students showcased their creative flair by donning outfits that cleverly rhymed, yielding whimsical combinations like Butterfly & FBI or HannahMontana&Banana. Tuesday brought “Barbie Girl’’ to life, with students transforming into Barbie, Ken, or simply embracing their inner pink fashionistas.
“Never Grow Up” was the theme on Wednesday, with students representing their grade levels - freshmen as babies, sophomores as toddlers, juniors as adults with fictional jobs, and seniors embracing senior citizenship.
Thursday brought a playful rivalry with “Try That in a Small Town” where students had the option to dress like down-to-earth country folks or dressed up members of the country club. Finally, Friday erupted with “We are the Champions (School Spirit),” as students proudly adorned their red, white and spirited gear, showing support for their school.
A focal point of the week’s festivities was the school parade, an event cherished by the entire student body. The parade featured fun student crafted floats that brimmed withtheimaginativeprowess of Kingston’s students.
The parade’s order was as follows:Leadingthewaywere the sheriffs, policemen, and firemen, setting the stage for the vibrant march. Following closelybehindwasthemarching band, with the high school football team and cheerleaders taking their place as the third act, followed by the homecoming court.
The class golf carts followed them, with the remaining sports teams and cheerleaders rounding out the procession. The freshmen float took first place honors for school floats while Kingston Family Care Center was the community float winner.
The culminating event of homecoming was, undoubtedly, the homecoming game—an occasion of great significance to the school community. This year, Kingston’s Redskins faced off against the Colgate Wildcats. The game provided a thrilling conclusion to the week’s festivities, culminating in a home team victory.
The game began with the Redskins on the offensive and the Wildcats defending their territory. The home team initiated their drive from Colgate’s 38-yard line, advancingtothe11-yardline. Cash Walker then charged through Colgate’s defensive line, securing the Redskins’ first touchdown. With a successful extra point, the score became 7-0 at the 9:11 mark.
Following the kickoff, the Wildcats reached the 30-yard line before being forced to punt. Parks Ratzlaff received the punt and began an impressive 54-yard run, bringing the ball to the nineyard line. Ratzlaff continued his charge, crashing through Colgate’s defense for the Redskins’ second touchdown. With the extra point, the score stood at 14-0 at the 6:44 mark.
Undeterred, the away team fought back, advancing to the home team’s 37-yard line after the kickoff. Aiden Donnell’stacklepushedthem back to the 20-yard line, but a long pass soon brought them to the 43-yard line.
Ratzlaff intercepted the ball, returning it to the 21yard line. Kingston grasped this opportunity, reaching the six-yard line and securing their third touchdown with a scoring pass to Eli Oliger. The score then shifted to 21-0 at the 2:59 mark, setting the stage for the home team’s kickoff to Colgate.
As the Wildcats reached the 16-yard line, a fumble allowed theRedskinstorecover and make a swift return, only to fumble the ball themselves. TheWildcatsregained possession, securing it near the 46-yard line. Before the first quarter concluded, the away team advanced to the home team’s 48-yard line.
The second quarter commenced with Colgate on the attack, beginning at Kingston’s 48-yard line; however, Kingston immediately stole the momentum with Rhett Coble intercepting the ball on the 49-yard line. Kingston then charged, with Hudson Everhart sprinting 30 yards to score another touchdown, and an extra point extending their lead to 28-0 at the 11:01 mark.
The Wildcats received the ball on their 20-yard line but could only progress to the Redskins’ 24-yard line before a forced punt. Kingston seized this opportunity, with Ty Jones going on a 39-yard run for yet another touchdown. The score was brought to 35-0 at the 8:34 mark.
Sam Walker’s tackle on their 10-yard line after the kickoff resulted in a series of incomplete passes, leading to another punt. Kingston advanced to the 37-yard line but fumbled the ball, with the Wildcats taking possession; however, during their return, the Wildcats also fumbled, allowing the Redskins to regain control close to the 21-yard line.
Ratzlaff followed this with a stunning 79-yard dash to the touchdown line, securing Kingston’s fifth touchdown. With the extra point, the Redskins commanded a 42-0 leadatthe6:26mark.Colgate was then pushed back to the nine-yard line and later to the six-yard line after the kickoff, resulting in another punt. Kingston received the ball on the 37-yard line and, with the help of Sam Walker, advanced to the 15-yard line.
Cash Walker then carried it the rest of the way for another hometeamtouchdown. The score rose to 49-0 at the 3:14 mark. Following the kickoff, the away team reached the 24-yard line before Kingston took away the ball moments before halftime.
The third quarter commenced with a Redskin kickoff, with the Wildcats going to the 36-yard line. Colgate progressed to the 42yard line, but Rhett Coble’s interception stopped their momentum. Coble raced an impressive 58 yards to the endzone, elevating Kingston’s lead to 55-0 at the 10:47 mark. The Wildcats then advanced to the 10-yard line and soon scored their first touchdown at the 6:34 mark, bringing the score to 55-6.
Following the kickoff, Kingston faced a standstill at the 43-yard line, leading to a turnover on downs. The Wildcats then moved to the 41-yard line, where they were intercepted by Jaksyn Martin,whoreturnedtheball to the 19-yard line. Although the home team attempted to advance, they were pushed back to the 19-yard line just as the third quarter concluded.
The fourth quarter saw Kingston launching an offensive from Colgate’s 25-yard line, following a penalty. The Redskins advanced to the 41yard line but were forced to punttoColgate.TheWildcats then progressed to the 35yard line, only to be stopped by another penalty resulting in a turnover. After the Wildcats took over the ball from Kingston, Colgate advanced to the 27-yard line, where another turnover ensued.
In the end, Kingston High School celebrated a 55-6 homecoming victory—a fitting conclusion to a week filled with tradition and pride.