Homecoming Showdown: Redwood Rangers Ready to Defend Their Turf

By: Ariana Dixon & Jaden Gordon

With the stands packed and school spirit high, varsity football looks to make Friday night memorable as the team takes the field for its Homecoming game. With the crowd behind them and the excitement of Homecoming in the air, players are ready to compete, represent their school, and give a night to remember.

As Homecoming night approaches, Redwood’s football team is prepared to take the field for Friday nights match up will school spirit for the players, Homecoming is more than just playing a football game with an opportunity to represent Redwood.

Cornerback London Butler ’27, wide receiver, feels like he’s going to execute Friday night’s game with another win. Butler says, “It means a lot to see how much work and effort the Rangers put into putting all these activities and dress-up days for homecoming, and it feels good.”

Running back Guran Goodman ’30 feels good and knows he and his teammates are going to do their job and get another win this Friday night. Goodman feels the same exact way; it’s his first homecoming game, and he’s excited to get another win.

Throughout the week, Redwood has focused on improving communication and making sure everyone is on the same page. Butler explained that the team has worked on getting their calls right and learning to work together more effectively. Goodman also says, Communication is an important part of the team’s preparation.

Their motivation is better than last season. We had a good team last season, and the team didn’t go all the way as they should’ve. Goodman says, His team motivates him to push him to be better and do better and to improve.

Teamwork and talent are two strengths the player needs for Friday night, Butler says, and that the team needs to work on communication skills and how to work together. Goodman says, highlighting the team’s ability to communicate with each other as something the crowd should look out for Friday night.

Another victory could provide Redwood with confidence heading into the remaining game of the season. Goodman explained that winning would be especially meaningful because the team has lost to the same opponent as last year.

Beyond football, Homecoming week brings traditions and memories that Rangers look forward to each year. Butler says, “The Homecoming queen and king is his favorite part about Homecoming,

Butler’s favorite moment about the season so far was taking their trip to Bass Lake, Goodman says. His favorite moment of the season would have to be when the teammates are in the locker room getting hyped and encouraging each other before taking the field.

Steven Malgarejo ’30’, wide receiver, free safety, says,’ He feels tonight’s game is a game that they have prepared for, and Malgarejo is just ready to win.

Malgarejo says, Playing in front of the homecoming crowd gives him and his teammates an extra boost of energy and confidence, something that the team has focused on in practices,’ is passing and trying to get the ball downfield as much as they can.

Malagrejo’s teammates and coaches motivate him to get better, to keep trying, and they just want the best for him this season and going forward. A strength the supports should look out for tonight would have to be our passing game, and they have a lot of receivers that can make big plays tonight.

A win tonight would impact the team, Malgarejo says. It would be good for the team, and they would stay undefeated and 6-0. Malgarejo’s favorite homecoming tradition is also the homecoming queen and king; he thinks it’s pretty cool. A teammate who has been working on and off the field is Oliver Richardson; he’s making bigger plays and doing more than he was at the beginning of the season so far.

Anthony Alvarez, ’28 quarterback, says he feels good heading into the Homecoming game. He feels he and his teammates put in a lot of preparation, and he thinks they’ve come together as a team this week, “Especially since we don’t want to lose the Homecoming game.”

For Alvarez, playing in front of the homecoming crowd, along with friends and family, everyone is a privilege to experience homecoming.

Throughout the week, the team has worked on discipline and making sure they are doing their best to their full abilities. “110%,” Alvarez says. His mother motivates him; she pushes him to keep going and to be the best in everything he does, and without her he wouldn’t be here.

Alvarez says, “The team has focused on their teamwork and their chemistry with one another.” How this win would impact the team because: “They’re going into the legend and starting off strong so they’re able to get ahead of everyone.”

Alvarez’ favorite homecoming traditions are the games at lunch that ASB puts together for the Rangers and the homecoming queen and king nominees. A teammate that has stepped up recently would have to be Andre Cebaillos, “He’s been doing really well throughout the whole season, and been putting in a lot of work.”

Alvarez’ favorite moment of the season would have to be eating with the team leaders and all the teammates coming together like one big family, excited to be able to play tonight and being out on the field with his teammates and doing what he loves to do the most.

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