By Siena Houk, Staff Writer
As the 2025 football playoffs heat up, teams across the country are showcasing their grit, determination, and skill in pursuit of a coveted championship title. With several upsets for supporting families all over and standout performances from players already making headlines, the road to the final game has come to be one of the most thrilling in recent years. From viewing parties to entertaining conversations in the hallways, it’s clear that many at River Hill have an opinion on which teams will make it to the big game. The playoffs have sparked a lot of buzz, and River Hill students are right in the middle of the action. Through the eyes of our very own Hawks, here is a closer look at their thoughts and opinions.
In last year’s Super Bowl, the Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, led his team to victory. They won 25-22 against the San Francisco 49ers, causing their second straight Super Bowl title. Winning in overtime, the crowd went wild, with many fans celebrating the big win. Students at River Hill, on the other hand, were quite disappointed as in the previous game the Baltimore Ravens were disqualified from the finals.
Sophomore Yvonne Bonnah believes that “the spirit of the games brings us all together. I love watching the playoffs with my friends and family and discussing our opinions on the matter. It has always been a fun way to relax and not take some things like school and perfect grades so seriously. My friends and I always have a blast hypothesizing who will win and who will lose. We aren’t typically right but the act of us bonding is what matters.”
Sophomore Masa Altamimi explains her disappointment with the loss of the Washington Commanders on January 26, 2025, as she “never have liked the Eagles. Our team had finally made it this far just to lose in the semifinals. My family and I have been rooting for them this whole time so it was a big upset that night to lose all hope and excitement.” A more perturbing fact about Masa’s family is that her “grandma has always been the biggest fan of the Chiefs. She used to partake in a yearly ritual of wrapping a scarf around her waist before bed and sleeping with spoons under her pillow. My whole family was waiting for the moment the Commanders could play the Chiefs as an ending point for the rivalry between the teams in our family.”
As the remaining two teams battle for the title at Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans, students prepare for the final countdown. The Kansas City Chiefs are expected to play the Philadelphia Eagles. The game is supposed to take place on Sunday, February 9, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. Sophomore Gwen Sokira can’t “wait to tune in with my family and watch. My dad is a big football fan so he always makes a big deal out of watching the games together. It is sort of like a bonding experience. We are originally fans of the Dallas Cowboys but since their tragic loss to the Commanders, 23-19, we are rooting for the Chiefs to win the Playoffs.”
The fan base of football can get pretty crazy and since a new addition to the fandom has joined, many people from all over have stated that they are now fans of the Kansas City Chiefs. Gwen believes that “Taylor Swift joining was like a crazy awakening for people all over. Many Swifties have now started calling themselves fans of the Chiefs because Tight End Travis Kelce has announced a relationship with Taylor in 2024. Although I am happy people have started appreciating the sport more, I don’t think their intentions have been quite clear.”
After the game, many students have a lot to say. Sophomore Shrij Desai was thrilled that “the Eagles won. I have been rooting for them for years. They truly deserved the win. The first half of the game was intense, the Eagles scored 24 to 0. I was very happy to see them improve. I know some of my friends are quite upset with the Chiefs losing, but to be fair they won two Super Bowls so I like that change.”
Overall, the 2025 playoffs have sparked a new wave of anticipation amongst students attending River Hill, giving them the opportunity to share their individual opinions and perspectives on teams, strategies, and key players. As the Playoffs unfolded, River Hill students continued to closely follow the riveting games, analyzing every move and play, hoping for a season like no other. Regardless of the outcome of the Super Bowl, this year’s playoff experience has come with challenges like no other that will leave a lasting impact on the student body and get them excited for next year’s game like no other.