This past Friday, Sept. 16, the Bison football team “Flipped the Switch,” lighting up the Bison football field for the first ever Beachwood football game with Friday night lights.

The Bison were given the tough task of beating the Perry Pirates, a team undefeated so far this season.

But the players were ecstatic to get on the field.

“It feels so good, but I am very anxious,” Senior wide receiver LeKendrick Robinson said before the game. “I’m ready to get out on that field and be the first team to play on it…We have been preparing for this since last season.”

“The whole team is really hyped up,” senior Josh Bialosky said, also before the game. “I am really excited and just want to get out there as soon as I can. I’ve been waiting for a long time, especially due to our poor field conditions. I can’t wait to step on the field and open the beautiful new stadium.” Bialosky plays a variety of positions.

Unfortunately, the Bison ended up dropping the contest 56-23. Nonetheless, the night was an exciting experience for the players and the community.

“I’ve never experienced anything like it,” senior captain Ryan Marmaros said. “…The environment, the pageantry… I’ll always remember it.”

“It felt really good to experience the first ever game under the lights on the new turf,” Bialosky said. “It was very unfortunate the way the game turned out, but I am very thankful to be a part of the team that took the first snap.”

“Looking back on flip the switch, even though the game didn’t go our way, I could tell it brought the community together,” junior captain and quarterback Ben Connor said. “There was the largest student section I’ve seen at any Beachwood sporting event. Every seat was filled with parents, alumni, students and fans. It feels awesome to be the reason all those people came out.”

“It was nice being able to be the first team to be on the field and open it up,” Robinson said. “It was great being the first person to get yards on the field, and overall it was a great experience.”

The Bison are looking forward to the rest of the season as they are 1-3 with 6 games remaining.

“I’m looking forward to the team progressing and taking a step forward each and every week. There is no reason we can’t win the rest of our games,” Bialosky said.

“As for the rest of the season, we just have to keep working as hard as we can, improving every day,” Connor said.