‘ROWLETT EAGLES!! ROWLETT EAGLES!!’ The student section roared.
With storms brewing in the area and multiple lightning delays the day before on March 26, 2025, the varsity boys soccer team faced off against Mesquite HS in the UIL State Playoffs. Although the outcome was not in favor of the Eagles, it was a one-of-a-kind game day for these players and the student body.
“We got to leave school during school hours, come outside and just have fun with our friends and different classes,” junior Malakai McClendon said.
Although Rowlett lost, the spirit of ‘96 still lives on.
“Well, I mean, we lost, but [having the home field advantage] didn’t really affect the game,” senior James Dawson said. “ I would say our team personally played better.”
A soccer game during the school day allows students who can’t attend regularly scheduled games to experience a varsity soccer game, creating a dynamic student section.
“Everyone was there, and you could feel the support on our side, and compared to a typical game, not many people go,” junior Julianna Reyes said. “And since I’m in girls soccer, we don’t really go to the guys’ games because we’re always scheduled at the same time, so it was fun getting to watch them play for the first time.”
Additionally, the atmosphere created a new attitude towards soccer.
“It was more people, different people that haven’t tapped into soccer,” Dawson said.
This event unlocked an everlasting core memory for students and staff.
“No other school really does that, so it was cool that we did it,” Reyes said.
