Senior football players, cheerleaders reflect on final game at ‘The Penn’

Twelve senior football players and seven senior cheerleaders played and cheered for their final football game at “The Penn,” McNicholas’ stadium, on Oct. 22.

It would seem as if the first few minutes of the seniors’ first game at Penn Station Stadium, “The Penn” wasn’t long ago, yet only forty-eight minutes remained for them in front of McNicholas fans at The Penn at the start of their Oct. 22 game. “The only regret I have from football is looking into the future too much. These four years have flown by,” said Cole Carmosino, senior wide receiver and kicker.

A new sign, ticket sales booth, and fencing around the stadium has been installed since senior quarterback Cam Haynes first played at The Penn. “The fact that this is our last game is really astounding. I feel like I should have so many games left, but I know I want to leave on a good note with all the seniors. The Penn is the best stadium in southwest Ohio and only has room to improve. It has been an honor to play in a stadium like that for four years,” Haynes said.

The senior football players aren’t the only athletes who played their final game at The Penn Oct. 22. The senior cheerleaders controlled the “Launch Pad,” McNicholas’ student section, for their final time at The Penn as well.

“I am going to miss the student section the most. I love how rowdy and excited everyone gets when we do ‘Victory,’ ‘Do It,’ or ‘E-I-O.’ I always have so much fun at the games because of how pumped the student section is,” senior cheerleader Hailey Lau said.

McNicholas played against Alter during the seniors’ final game at The Penn. Alter defeated McNicholas 35-3 and has now won the past four matchups against McNick, but the stands were still energetic.

McNicholas will travel to Badin for their final game of the season on Oct. 28, with kickoff at 7 p.m.

McNicholas sports teams that compete at Penn Station Stadium or commonly known as “The Penn” include football, men’s and women’s soccer, lacrosse, and track & field. “The Penn” was constructed in 2010 and it hosted its first football game October 16, 2010.