Fifth quarter is more than just eating pizza in the cafeteria after a game. It’s about getting together as a community, bringing the team together, and most of all, involving the student body after a victory or loss to pick up the team.

“It’s nice to be able to connect with the community. I love having junior football, cheerleaders, and students there. It makes us feel like we are all one, instead of just just the team, fans, and players,” senior varsity football player Marek Wright said. 

On the field, the player’s only goal is to get the victory. But what happens after the game and behind the scenes? After every home game, the boys celebrate by going into the cafeteria, eating pizza, and discussing performance from the game, while having outside perspectives about the game. 

“Fifth quarter is different from being in a game. There is a sense of accomplishment afterwards, and being able to celebrate how my teammates and I performed gives me a sense of relief. It’s awesome to have everybody there embracing you and getting together,” junior varsity football player Hudson Xavier said. 

Coach Valach speaks on positives and negatives after a game, too. The captains speak on what went well in the game, and how certain players did their part to lead them to the win.     “On the field, the game is the most important aspect of the night, but getting together after is what builds the team’s energy and motivates us to succeed,” Xavier said.

 The celebration is collectively valued by players for bonding the team, raising each other’s spirits, and creating an environment where parents, students, players, and fans can come support the team after a game.

“It’s easy to talk to someone on a Monday after a game about the Friday before, but after the game itself, the energy is high, the spirits are high, and that’s when you can genuinely connect with the players after a game. I think everyone should come to the fifth quarter and give it a chance,” Wright said.