The lights will be the same, the crowd just as loud, but for the class of 2026, senior night will feel different. When the Spartans take the field against Lake Braddock, it won’t just be another rivalry matchup. It will be the last time this group of seniors plays under the home lights, on their turf they’ve called for 4 years.
For many of them, the emotions are already setting in.
“Senior night is my time to show off and perform for my class,” said senior running back Gavin Cabus, who has become one of the team’s key leaders. He remembers being quick and fast even as an underclassman, but what mattered more was the example he set.
“I always wanted to be a good leader and a good supporter,” said Cabus. He also credits much of his growth to his position coach: “Coach Menloch has been with me since freshman year. huge shouted to him he’s believed in me since the start.”
For linemen like Jakob Biegler, senior night is both an ending to a sport he has been dedicated to for four years and a reminder of how far he’s come. His high school career included an ankle injury that required grueling physical therapy and even a position switch midway through this season.
“It was hard to come back from that,” said Biegler, “But work hard-play hard. That’s always been my mindset. Four years go by too fast, so you can’t take it for granted.”
For Biegler, the anticipation of facing the Lake Braddock Bruins is also what makes the night special.
“Beating Lake Braddock would be unforgettable,” said Biegler, “That locker room after a big win, that’s what you live for.”
“It’s more than just a football game, it shows appreciation for the leaders on the team,” said senior linemen Brandon Lopez. “I try not to think about it being my last game, so I always play my hardest and never slow down.”
Over the years Lopez has felt football has shaped him into a more serious, resilient player.
“I’ve matured a lot,” said Lopez, “I’ve been through hardships and felt more emotions playing this sport than in any other.”
What he’ll miss most though, is the people.
“For four years, I’ve seen my teammates every single day. I know what they’ve been through, who they are off the field. They’re my brothers,” said Lopez.
The rivalry with Lake Braddock adds fuel to the anticipation for many seniors. Playing against old friends makes the road game even more personal.
“Knowing this could be our last game on this field with our fans in the stands makes it so much more emotional,” said Lopez.
As the Spartans prepare for senior night, their goals go beyond wins and stats. They want to leave behind a legacy of leadership, resilience, and brotherhood. The kind of example that future classes will carry forward when it’s their turn to step under the lights for the last time.
