The West York football team has won 17 consecutive football games at home, including three straight playoff games. But if the Bulldogs want to win a district title, they will have to earn a victory away from its friendly confines.
Since 2006, West York has lost both of the playoff football games it has played away from home, but those games were at opposing team's stadiums. Friday's contest against Manheim Central will be held at the neutral site of Hersheypark Stadium. That means it's up to the students and fans to battle it out to see who can make the atmosphere more suitable for their team.
The Bulldogs have been cultivating student and community support through spirit events when they would attend games for other West York varsity teams as fans once a month or so. They said that support could pay off on Friday.
"When we went to those field hockey games and those soccer games, sometimes you thought: 'Oh my gosh, why am I wasting my time sitting here?,'" junior quarterback Alex George said. "But then you look up and you see everybody from that soccer team is out there now and they're excited to come cheer you on. I know all the girls from the field hockey team really get excited and are really excited to watch us at Hershey because we went up there to watch them."
Even among the general student population and young alumni base there is a buzz, according to senior wide receiver Nate Jacobs.
"I hear that a lot of people are going to be up there," Jacobs said. "A lot of people from college will be coming home and I know a lot of people from past teams like Rob Estep and all them guys are going up. I'm pretty sure a lot of people are going to be up there supporting us."
Coach Ron Miller expects a large turnout as well and compared the wait leading up to Friday night to the anticipation of Christmas as a child.
"I think West York as a community and as a school is fired up," Miller said. "I personally can't wait -- it's like Christmas, when you knew you were getting that bike that you wanted and you stopped believing in Santa Claus. I just can't wait. I can't wait to go up there."
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