After months of construction and anticipation over the summer, the first football game was played in De Soto High School’s new stadium.

On Sept. 10, 2021, the De Soto Wildcats took on the Blue Valley Southwest Timberwolves. Although the Wildcats lost, the energy was still electric in the new home bleachers. 

Most of the excitement was coming from the student section. Despite the massive new stadium, the students of De Soto High school crammed in their section and supported their team.

Senior Bryce Englehart played a key role in getting students excited for the big game. Englehart and many others were excited to use these bleachers to enhance the student hype.

“I was pretty bummed out because I missed my junior year. But coming back to the new stadium in my senior year,” Englehart said.

They used the extra space to their advantage by waving around flags and signs. Students were able to walk around and get everyone excited for every play. 

The home fans enjoyed the little benefits to the bleachers as well. For example, they don’t have to look into the sun anymore and a higher vantage point was a good addition to view the game. 

Englehart believes the excitement of the new stadium definitely raised the energy of the students during the game.

“I think the new stadium made a huge impact because everybody was already hyped up enough to sit in the bleachers,” Englehart said.

However, there were a few things that needed to be changed as the students were very clumped together even with the extra space. Englehart hopes to organize the students by grade level to make everyone more comfortable and hopefully louder.

The Wildcats suffered a heartbreaking loss, but the night was still considered a success for the student section leaders. The section kept the energy throughout the night to support their team.

“I think it was a success, everyone had fun and it was a great game enjoyed by all,” Englehart said.

The next home game for the football team is the homecoming game on Sept. 24 against Lansing High School. The turnout will most likely be even bigger and will bring even more excitement to the stadium.