As the fall season comes to a close, many Mercy students have been cheering on their favorite all-boys schools in the football state championship playoffs. Friday nights spent on cold metal benches, decked out in spirit wear, all seem to be worth it in anticipation of the next few weeks.
This year in particular, the Catholic League has shown very well on the state level. All but one of the eight state divisions holds a Catholic League team in the final four. Neighboring schools such as Orchard Lake St. Mary’s, Detroit Catholic Central, and Brother Rice have competed their way into the semi-finals. All teams play this Saturday on Ford Field in the hopes of moving onto the championship game.
For girls that have closely followed the teams, this success is very overwhelming.
“It’s very exciting for all of the players to make it so far in the playoffs,” said junior Natalie Lewandowski. “I’m so excited because I know how hard they work and we are just hoping and praying for the best!”
Along with Lewandowski, many girls have brothers that play on the Catholic League football teams. Expect to see many Mercy students cheering on family members in the stands this weekend.
One of those students is junior Sam Bauer. Bauer has two brothers, Sean and Pierce, and two cousins, Parker McInnis and Grant Neimec, that play on the Orchard Lake St. Mary’s team. Needless to say, the games are a family affair.
“I’ve been watching them play together ever since I can remember,” said Bauer. “When their senior year season is over, it will be a huge part of my family’s life that ends, so I get really into the games.”
Cheering on their family has turned into somewhat of a weekly activity for the Bauer clan. “On the days leading up to the game, my house is chaos,” said Bauer. “When they lose my whole family ends up in a bad mood for the rest of the day.”
For those that have been watching the teams all season, the next few days are crucial.
“I’ve been watching Catholic Central football all fall,” said sophomore Taylor Babcock, “and I can’t wait to see my boys in blue take it home.”
For Babcock, the games were a good place to meet up with her friends during the weekend. “All the Mercy girls watched the games together,” Babcock said, “and it got to be what we did every weekend.”
Although many girls will have to find new ways to spend their time, the anticipation of big playoff games overshadows the bittersweet ending to another successful Catholic League season. Lewandowski, Bauer, and Babcock represent just a few of the many football fans Mercy has.
“I’m so ready for this weekend,” Babcock said, “and I can’t wait to cheer on my friends at Ford Field.”