Rival schools meet ahead of big game

Lakeside High School's Principal Darrin Landry, center, recently spoke to students from Lake Hamilton High School and Lakeside during a meeting of student leaders ahead of the two schools' Rivalry Game on Thursday alongside Lake Hamilton assistant athletic director Jeff Scott, left, and athletic director Rick Waters, right. - Photo by Grace Brown of The Sentinel-Record.
Lakeside High School's Principal Darrin Landry, center, recently spoke to students from Lake Hamilton High School and Lakeside during a meeting of student leaders ahead of the two schools' Rivalry Game on Thursday alongside Lake Hamilton assistant athletic director Jeff Scott, left, and athletic director Rick Waters, right. - Photo by Grace Brown of The Sentinel-Record.

Student leader representatives from Lake Hamilton and Lakeside high schools met last week at Lakeside's Athletic Complex to discuss Rivalry Game day expectations and etiquette.

Eight students from each school with two from each grade level made for a total of 16 students at the meeting. Lake Hamilton High School Principal Donald Westerman, athletic director Rick Waters and assistant athletic director Jeff Scott, as well as Lakeside Principal Darrin Landry, were also in attendance at last Wednesday's meeting. A similar meeting was held prior to last year's game on Lake Hamilton's campus.

"What we wanted to do is bring our kids together. This is a great rivalry that we started back last year," Landry said.

"We tried to come to a common ground where we didn't cross those lines. And I think last year it was successful. It was a great game. It was a great atmosphere. Nothing was damaged on either campus. So I think it was a success. And that's kind of what we want to do today, is let you have the floor and talk it out amongst each other," he said to the students.

"This was a great event because our students made it a great event. That's why I just want to challenge you guys. It's on your shoulders. Keep everything civil. And I'm not seeing any kind of animosity right now," Westerman said.

No students from either school voiced any complaints or grievances pertaining to Thursday's upcoming game. The only requests put forth were that injuries on the field be respected on both sides, and for all to refrain from booing referees.

Discussions were held concerning student sections themes. Lake Hamilton's will be summer themed, while Lakeside's will be "gold iced out," which communications coordinator Tara Adams described as "gold chains and metallics."

Gates will open at 4:30 p.m. on game day on Thursday. No outside food or drink will be allowed. Portable toilets will be available for use to accommodate the influx of spectators. Parking at Lake Hamilton will be extended to the highway and near the Optimist Park baseball fields. Shuttle services will be offered.

For this year's game at Lake Hamilton's Wolf Arena, whatever side spectators enter on is what side they must remain on for the entirety of the game. Walking back and forth between the two school's sides will not be allowed.

At 6:30 p.m., a National Park Medical Center helicopter will deliver the game day football to the center of the field.

Both schools considered the meeting a success.

Lake Hamilton senior, Carter Manatt, said the meeting was beneficial because, "I feel like just getting to know people that are involved in student sections," and that the Rivalry Game "doesn't have to be all about competition. It's just about kind of atmosphere and community and all coming together and having a good time doing it."

Lakeside senior, Rafe Criss said, "I believe this was a good meeting to have today just so we can have familiar faces and just show that this is a friendly rivalry, and there's no hate. It's good for the community."

Westerman charged the students to keep their futures in mind during game day activities.

"Eventually, most of you will return to Garland County, and you're going to go to church together. You're going to go into business together. You're going to do business with each other. Right now's a great time to establish some of those relationships and keep them positive."

Local on 09/03/2019

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