Varsity football won the first game of the season 24-21 on their own turf Sept. 7 against Channel Island High School.

The win brought varsity football’s record to three losses and one win. The record is currently four losses and one win as of their last game against West Ranch on Sept. 14.

The game was senior and quarterback Cam Fouts’s first game at home playing for the varsity football team, as he transferred from Westlake High School for the 2018-2019 school year.

“[Winning] was a good feeling,” Fouts said. “It was an awesome time as a team to come together as a team and get that first win.”

Varsity Head Coach Casey Webb asked his players to think about why they play football and told them to “play for their why.” At a players only meeting, Fouts asked the team to each write down their “why” on sticky notes and put them on each of their lockers “so that they would see it every day when they get ready to play.”

“I was in the game and everyone was saying, ‘Play for your why. Find your why right now. Dig deep,’” senior and right tackle and defensive tackle Dylan Rodgers said. “Everyone dug deep and everyone played for their why. It was good to see it come together.”

The first home game was also a first for cheer, dance team, color guard and marching band in the new school year.

“This year we already have half the show done — it’s really exciting,” freshman and color guard captain Ruby Pokras said. “I didn’t really know what to expect like balancing all the stuff, and then also not experiencing some of the things that other section leaders and seniors have experienced so far.”

The cheer team started working on their first halftime performance over the summer.

“I was really impressed [by our halftime performance,]” senior and cheer captain Emme Creager said. “I’m really glad that everything worked out well, and our coach was super proud of us, which was really rewarding.”

Webb said he enjoyed seeing the varsity football team “overcome with emotion” after the game.

“It’s nice to get a win in front of your home crowd,” Webb said. “We’re going to continue representing Oak Park football and the community in the best way possible.”