The bleachers shook with every cheer, the marching band’s drums echoed across the stadium, and students were buzzing as the carnival stretched into the night. Under the Friday night lights, this wasn’t just a football game — it was Homecoming, the heart of the season. 

Neshaminy High School (NHS) celebrated its annual homecoming football game against Central Bucks West on Sept. 26, 2025.

The night started with the Homecoming Court riding their decorated golf carts around the track of the Harry E. Franks stadium. The NHS Choir followed the parade with the singing of the “National Anthem” conducted by Alex Dewhirst and the “Alma Mater” conducted by Daphne Sucevic. 

As the crowd moved towards the carnival, several booths representing the many different clubs and sports teams of NHS were either selling food and gifts or offering a challenge through mental tests and physical events. For many of these booths, the money raised would be put towards their extracurricular activities, but for Mini-THON, the money goes towards a greater good. 

NHS’s Mini-THON is a student-run organization that supports the Four Diamonds fund, aiming to help benefit children and families battling childhood cancer. While the exact amount cannot be disclosed, Stephanie Baniewicz, the teacher in charge of the club, stated that by halftime during the prior Gold Out football game, they had raised $1100 above where they were at this time last year. 

During halftime, the NHS Marching Band and Color Guard took the field to perform “I Matter.” Afterwards, the feeling of surreality mixed with nervousness for the 2025 King and Queen emerged as the NHS varsity lacrosse goalie, Jaxon Olszewski, and president of the NHS drama program, Samantha Orleski, were crowned the Homecoming King and Queen.

“I was really nervous ‘cause I don’t like ever to be in the headspace that I have something ‘cause I think that brings bad mojo,” stated Orleski. 

With her fellow costars and performers behind her, she explained how much support she had received.

 “The entire music program has honestly been such an angel and a blessing,” Orleski added. “They’re all so supportive, and I genuinely don’t think we could have won it without them because my choir teacher, my drama teacher, was sending out messages every day saying announcements, asking everyone to vote for me and Jaxon, so it’s really just sweet.”

Homecoming King, Olszewski reminisced over his family as he explained how “[growing] up watching all this stuff, I just dreamed of being here, and it feels surreal. Not just because I got crowned Homecoming King, but because of the sport, my friends, because of the great group of people I got to do it with. All these things all combine to one thing. It’s just really awesome.”

Although many students stayed in the stands, those who moved towards the concession stands noticed the major change that differed from previous years; the construction had moved everything behind the stands. 

In an effort to elevate the football experience, NHS has a new concession stand being put in at the front of the stadium. This snack bar, however, is not finished yet, causing a change in layout, limited parking, and restriction of movement around the front of the stadium.

Like many students, 11th-grade student and Gym Night Captain for NHS blue team 2 years in a row, Promise Adeboya expressed his annoyance at the construction.

“Sucks. This sucks cause you could walk right through the stands, you could walk right out, it made it so much easier, “ Adeboya said. “But now you have to walk all the way around to get back here.” 

With the frustration, NHS’s principal, Stephen Garstka, has explained how “[as] you can see, all of our concessions have to be behind the stands right now, which makes things a little logistically difficult. Hopefully it’s going to be done soon, but I don’t think we’re going to have it for any of the home games.” 

Despite the difficulties the construction poses, some students have found workarounds to this issue and have benefited. The low brass section leader and 12th-grade student Zahmira Coppola-Miller shared that she has been “seeing a lot more people talking and getting to socialize when they’re not bunched up into one stadium. They get the opportunity to go around and see more people and be more adventurous.”

The joy is not lost with limitations hindering the vibe of the football games. Neshaminy pride and spirit are still as high as before, with Roberta Cimochowski, the NHS vice principal, stating that “[on] a positive note, I see a lot of school spirit. I see a lot of people following the theme, so a lot of thematic nights, which is great. I see them rocking Neshaminy gear. I see the seniors with their senior jeans. So it’s cool. I’m big on school pride, so I’m happy seeing people cheering on the team.”

And to coincide with all the other events, the Neshaminy football players gave students and fans a great game to celebrate Homecoming. Neshaminy was facing off against Central Bucks West, who prior to the game, was ranked #32 of all Pennsylvania high school teams, while Neshaminy was ranked #72.

The game got off to a rocket start with Neshaminy immediately recovering a Central Bucks West fumble on the initial kickoff before running it in for a touchdown to take the early lead. Just a few minutes later, Neshaminy quarterback Michael Eckart threw a perfect pass to wide receiver Bobby Lagler for an 83-yard touchdown. Neshaminy was already up 14-0 before the first quarter was over.

As the game progressed, so did the score. Central Bucks West made it close in the 2nd quarter with a touchdown and 2-point conversion, as well as a field goal to make the score 14-11.

However, Neshaminy played on, scoring one more touchdown before halftime and then again in the 3rd quarter thanks to a 63-yard run from Eckart. The score became 28-18 by the time the 4th quarter began, and that would eventually be the final score to give Neshaminy their fifth win of the season.

The Homecoming Football Game has always been one of the most exciting events of the year for Neshaminy students. Not only does the football game offer an exciting experience, but the entire event serves as a great opportunity for every student to have fun and feel like a part of the Neshaminy community, which represents everything that Neshaminy stands for.