For WS football players fighting against Lee on September 14, the eyes among the crowded orange bleachers weren’t the only ones taking in their performance.

Along with the students, Washington’s local CBS affiliate, WUSA, was in attendance at Friday night’s matchup against Robert E. Lee high school. The studio held an internet poll the week leading up to the game, pitching different high school matchups in the area against each other with the winner gaining a visit from the studio to feature the highlights of the game on the news that night.

Anxiety filled the air Thursday night, as hopeful Spartans anticipating a televised Friday night game watched the Spartans come closer and closer to losing their opportunity.

“I really hoped that we’d win because that’d be really cool experience during senior year, especially with Lee being a pretty big rival,” said Senior Christopher Butters.

The poll was close, yet Thursday night the Spartan community rallied to win gaining 51% of the votes, and the student body readily anticipated being televised.

“I think the crowd will have a lot more energy knowing we are on camera,” said Butters.

The same energy could be felt in the hours leading up to the game, as students quickly procured body paint, costumes, and trashcans to cheer on the Spartans and assemble in the raucous and spirited student section.

“I think that we will be extra pumped tonight,” said Senior Hannah Ulrich.

The energy leading up to the game had the entire school excited, and with WUSA attending, the pressure seemed to build.

“As an athlete, I think the [players] will feel a lot more nervous before the game, but once we win in the end there will be a greater sense of satisfaction and pride.” said Butters.

However, for the players that took the field amongst the screaming student section and wandering cameras, it was just another game.

“It doesn’t put pressure on us because you have to treat every game like it’s your last game; go hard every play,” said Senior Wide Receiver #10 Andy Chen.

And go hard they did, as the Spartans coasted to a 33-14 win over the Lancers with a solid effort on both sides of the ball, cementing a 3-0 record.

After the game, fans turned to channel 9 and watched the highlights, which included an interception returned for a touchdown by Senior Matt Ahola, as well as shots of the vibrant and energetic student section.

For senior students like Christopher Butters, the night could not have gone any better.

“It’s also good publicity for us to say that we’re more than a food fight and a bomb threat because those are the last two times Channel 9 has been at our school.”