Hello, Roseburg High School. RHS is having a great football season so far this year. I interviewed some student athletes here at the high school about whether they prefer home or away games and how they feel about the season. I got input from two of the frosh/soph team members, two junior varsity team members and two from the varsity team. This is a fun way to start the year!

Let’s begin with the frosh/soph team, followed by the junior varsity players, and ending with the varsity team. The first interviewee was Dane St. Clair. He had said he is really enjoying football this year as his first year here at the high school. He was asked if he prefers home games or away games. He said he prefers home games because his fans are here at home. He said it is not stressful to play away from home. When asked if he plays better at home rather than away, he mentioned that he plays better at home. He brought up the fact that he only gets intimidated by other teams if they are big guys. Then, the last question he was asked was if he ever felt judged by the other team on the away field and he said no.

The next interviewee was Bracen Parker. Bracen stated that he is enjoying football this year, but it’s definitely harder than middle school. He was asked if he prefers home or away games. He said he prefers home because he gets to protect his reputation as well as his team’s reputation. He said that the games aren’t stressful but the ride to an away game is stressful. He was asked if he gets intimidated by the other teams and he said not really. He also said he never feels judged. When asked if the team gets really amped up on the bus ride there, he stated that his bus isn’t allowed to get loud; they have to stay quiet. He was also asked how the bus ride back is and he said the same, that they have to stay more quiet.

The next interviewee was Riley McCallister. He said that he is enjoying football this year and that it is better this year. He was asked if he prefers home games or away games. He said he prefers home games because they don’t have to travel. He states that it’s not stressful to play away. He also said that he doesn’t get intimidated by other teams or players. He also mentioned that he never feels judged on an away field. He was asked how the bus ride is on the way to an away game, and he stated that it’s fun and they listen to good music. The ride back is similar; they are quiet or joking around depending on how the game went.

The next interviewee was Brevin Harrison. Brevin said that he is really liking football this year. He said it is amazing with great teammates. He was asked if he prefers home or away, and he said he prefers home because his family is here and his friends. He stated that it isn’t stressful; he just shows up and does his thing. He was asked if he ever gets intimidated by other team players. He said, “Not really unless it’s like a 300 pounder.” He also said he never feels judged on the away fields. He was asked if they get really amped up on the bus ride there and he said “yeah, it’s fun,” but when they get close to the game they settle down and are more quiet. He was then asked how the bus ride back is depending on if they win or lose. He said if they win it’s fun and they cheer a lot but if they lose then they are quiet. He also mentioned that he sleeps on the way back if they lose, so he can get it over with.

Our first varsity interviewee was Tyger Black. He said that he likes football this year so far. He was asked if he prefers home games or away games. He said he prefers home games because of the Bum Squad. He stated that it’s not stressful to play away games. He also said that he plays better here because it’s his field and his school. He was asked if he ever gets intimidated by other teams and he said no. Also he said that he never feels awkward or judged around other teams.

Colton Marsters was our final interviewee. He said that he loves football this year. He was asked if he prefers home games or away games. At the time he was interviewed the varsity hadn’t played a home game yet, so he said, “Probably home, I wouldn’t know though because we haven’t played one. I guess we will find out tonight.” Then he was asked if it was stressful to play away games, and he said no. He also said that he never feels judged around other teams or on away fields. He was then asked how the bus rides are on the way to an away game. He said they are fun and they have a good time. Same for the way back; it is fun.

So there we have some thoughts from just a few of Roseburg High School’s terrific football players. Overall, this was a great group of students to interview. Go RHS football!