On Sept. 2, the first senior night of the 2022-23 school year occurred to honor the fall senior student-athletes. Senior night took place at Cardinal Stadium before the game against China Spring. Sixty-five seniors from football, cheer, band, colorguard, cross country and athletic training were escorted onto the field to be recognized. Click here to view the photo gallery.

Head football coach Matt Nally along with some football seniors were interviewed. Nally expressed his feelings toward his seniors leaving.

“My feelings about the senior class are overwhelming,” Nally said. “When a season begins, it is bittersweet. You know that after each day it’s closer to that senior class retiring from Melissa Football. Seeing those kids being recognized is very special because they have a moment where they get to be out in front of everyone allowing people to know what sacrifice they have made to make it to that point. It takes a lot of sacrifice to be an athlete. Discipline and sacrifice, and that moment when they get their name called and they get to walk and hear the cheers for their achievements is extremely touching and makes me proud of them.”

Cardinal football started off with a strong lead against China Spring. At the start of the 4th quarter, the Cardinals were in the lead 33-28, but with 1:45 left on the clock, the Cougars completed a rushing touchdown and made the point after. The Cougars took the lead, and sadly Cardinal football could not make a touchdown in the final minute, ending the game 42-41.

After the game, senior Caleb Otlewski reflected on a goal he wishes to achieve with his team this season.

“Well, the main goal would obviously be to win State,” Otlewski said. “But, a major goal I want to reach all together is to leave a statement to the town of Melissa that the Cardinal football team is a team of brothers that work together and will not back down to anything!”

Lots of family members and fans congratulated the team and came together as a community to support them. Senior Clark Packard was questioned on how he feels knowing this is his last year playing for Melissa.

“It’s a mixture of excitement and fear, knowing that it’s my last opportunity to have a bond with these players and do what we all love and try to accomplish a group goal, which is State,” Packard said.