Beverly High students wearing orange T-shirts reading “feel the glow” and wielding glow sticks help fill the packed Nickoll Field stadium for last Friday’s homecoming game.
The Madrigals sang the national anthem before the game, and at halftime, with the stadium lights off, the sticks and T-shirts glowed brightly in the dark.
The BHHS marching band took the field for a crowd-pleasing performance of Michael Jackson’s Thriller. This was followed by performances from the cheerleaders and part of the Dance Company, AP Possee.
The traditional announcement of the 2009-2010 homecoming court included each grade’s prince and princess, plus the crowning of the homecoming king and queen, Daniel Bradbury and Salena Martell.
The only disappointment for the night was the outcome of the game—22-14, Inglewood.
The Normans scored first, on a 40-yard diving endzone pass from junior quarterback Josh Newman to senior Daniel Bradbury.
The Sentinels wasted no time in tying the score.
Then in the second quarter, the Normans scored again on a fine 50-yard touchdown run by sophomore quarterback Cam-eron Countryman, bringing the halftime score to 14-7.
Inglewood scored again in the third quarter, a long run from its own 25-yard line to tie the score.
BHHS missed a field goal in the third quarter, set-up by another 45-yard catch by Bradbury; and then saw a touchdown run by junior AJ Fortier called back because of an illegal procedure.
The rest of the game was a defensive battle until Inglewood scored on another long run, plus a two-point conversion with only about two minutes left to play.
Still, the Normans moved quickly down the field on great pass plays, but were unable to score as time ran out.
The Normans running game was limited, but the passing game was solid, said Head Coach Donald Paysinger who commended the consistent play of Countryman, wide receiver Bradbury, and defensive end Greg Townsend.
Paysinger stressed the need for the Normans to play strong as a team for the entire game.
Tonight, the Normans travel to Coleman Field in Inglewood to take on Morningside High School. They host Culver City on Nov. 13.
