GreatNews.Life Student Voices: Friday night lights at Hammond Central

What’s recently happened?

Hammond schools started school on August 13. The start of the school year can be rough for not just students, but staff and parents, especially given that school begins at 7:15 a.m.

One of the most important steps to take is to get a good night’s rest. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends eight – 10 hours of sleep per night for teens, and at least seven hours for adults. Establishing a consistent bedtime and wake-up schedule, even on weekends, can help the body adjust to the early start time.

Preparation is also key to reducing morning stress. Packing backpacks and setting out clothes the night before can save valuable time and make mornings run more smoothly. Pairing that with a balanced breakfast can help students and staff stay alert and energized throughout the day.

Limiting screen time before bed is another way to improve sleep quality, as the light from phones and computers can interfere with falling asleep. Staying organized with a planner or calendar can also help manage the year’s assignments, activities, and important dates, keeping everyone on track.

By building these habits early, students, parents, and staff can make the adjustment smoother and set themselves up for a productive semester.

Hammond Central High School (HCHS) had its first home football game on August 22 against South Bend Washington High School. The game ended in a loss with a score of 0-31. While the game might’ve been a loss, the team has the ambition to tackle the rest of the season.

“Even though we didn’t do well in the first game, I still have hopes for the rest of the season,” said Junior Kendall Alexander, a wide receiver and defensive back for the team. “Our team just needs a lot of practice and high spirits, and I’m sure we can do well at the homecoming game.”

What’s coming up?

Anticipation and excitement are in the air tonight as HCHS will have its Homecoming game on Friday, September 26 at 6 p.m. They will be up against Victor J. Andrew High School from Tinley Park, IL. HCHS will host a Spirit Week from September 22-26 for the occasion.

The Homecoming Dance will take place on Saturday, September 27. While the themes for both Homecoming and Spirit Week are still to be decided, ideas are being developed by the class sponsors.

Some ideas for Spirit Week include Pajama Day, Nerds vs. Jocks, and Disney Characters. Some ideas for the Homecoming dance include Western, Halloween Costumes, and Princes and Princesses.

“We get suggestions from students each year, but really want to make this year special and start it off with a howl,“ said Megan Brown, class of 2027 sponsor. “Seeing the students excited and having fun at events and our games is what we try to prioritize.“

Class Council campaigns will run from September 2-5. Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors all have a chance to run for their respective class positions. There are four available positions students can run for: president, vice president, secretary, and media manager.

The president and vice president both attend monthly student government meetings, work with their class sponsors, and aid in developing ideas for fundraisers and events. The secretary logs meeting notes and helps keep students on track during meetings. Last but not least, the media manager is the hype person. They create flyers and posters for both social media and to hang up around the building.

With this being a great opportunity for student leaders to instill change in the school, many students are running for these positions.

“I have many goals for my presidency,” said Edward Garcia Jr, a candidate for the class of 2028 president. “I have three main ones which will set HCHS up for success. One, promote school pride; two, raise funds for the class of 2028; and three, help promote student voices. I also have multiple leadership positions, including being a second-year JROTC cadet. I am confident in my ability to lead our school.”

Staff spotlight:

Tyler Milby, HCHS football coach and physical education teacher, has been passionate about the game for nearly his entire life. His football journey began when he was just 7 years old.

“I was at soccer practice when I was about 7 years old, and I saw a football practice going on,” Milby said. “As soon as I saw the other kids playing, I already knew I wanted to join the team. The moment I went home, I told my parents I wanted to join the football team. They put me on the team and I never looked back.”

That early spark eventually led him to a career not just in playing, but in coaching and teaching. Now, Milby’s focus is on shaping well-rounded student-athletes who can succeed on the field, in the classroom, and beyond.

“The most important lesson that I try to teach my players is discipline,” he said. “If you can keep yourself in check and give it your all, you will always have something more to strive for. If not, then your performance won’t be better than your week one performance.”

Milby has already seen moments that prove his team’s grit.

“This summer, we were dominating, hitting our stride,” he said. “To demonstrate that this team can be great, in the first game of the year, we had three consecutive plays where we stopped them at the one-yard line. That shows true grit for a defense.”

Outside of coaching, Milby values effort, consistency, and personal growth in all aspects of life. His advice to athletes who want to go professional is simple but firm.

“My number one advice is just to do your best 100% of the time,” Milby said. “Get the best grades you can get, work the hardest you can, and someone is going to see that hard work.”

For Milby, football is a platform to prepare young people for the challenges ahead, one lesson, one practice, and one game at a time.

Student spotlight:

For HCHS Junior Linebacker Brian Merrifield, football is more than just a game; it’s a calling he discovered by accident.

In seventh grade, he unexpectedly walked into the gym during football conditioning. Someone asked him to try out, and from the moment he stepped on the field, he felt a connection. 

“I instantly knew I would grow to love the sport,” Merrifield said.

Now a middle linebacker for the Wolves, Merrifield is built on leadership and teamwork.

“I love calling out the strength of the play and being a leader on defense, along with my Outside Linebacker David Dandridge,” he said.

His role is about inspiring the team and holding himself accountable. Accountability, in fact, has been the team’s biggest challenge this season.

“We all just need to take accountability for our own mistakes and learn from them,” Merrifield said. “Then we’ll be unstoppable.”

Despite a few losses, he remains confident in the team’s potential. One of his favorite memories is last year’s game against Culver Academies.

“We all did so well, but we just fell slightly short,” he said.

Merrifield’s goal for the rest of the season is to help lead the team’s defense and prove the doubters wrong.

“Everyone is betting against us,” he said, “We’re going to show them what we can do.”

His long-term goal is to finish his high school career strong and earn the opportunity to play at the next level. Merrifield ensures improvement is the top priority.

“There is always room for improvement, no matter what you achieve or do in life,” he said. “You could go out and lead your team to a Super Bowl win, but there will still be things you could’ve done better.”

Faith also plays a big role in Merrifield’s football journey. Before every game, the team joins in a group prayer.

“We believe it’s important to praise the Lord, and that anything can be achieved through Jesus Christ,” he said.

Outside of football, Merrifield keeps life simple. He spends his time studying, playing video games, or working out at the gym.

“Most of the time, if you see me, I’ll be doing one of those three things,” he said.