WINDHAM — The high school will play its first ever varsity football game Friday night at home.
In its second year, the school will elevate all 25 sports to the varsity level.
Windham High School, which only had freshman and sophomore classes in its opening year, will have three grades this year and compete in Division II in most sports.
Athletic Director Bill Raycraft said the jump to varsity means the school is taking the next step in building a complete athletics program.
"For the kids, playing for the varsity means they have reached the highest level, and that is why they do the work and get themselves prepared," he said.
Last year, the school offered 25 sports, but most of the teams competed at the junior varsity level. The exceptions were those that emphasize individual performance, such as golf, gymnastics, tennis and track.
This fall, teams moving from junior varsity to varsity are boys and girls soccer, football, cheerleading and field hockey. The girls soccer team played its first varsity contest Friday, defeating Manchester West, 4-1. The boys varsity soccer team lost its first game, 2-1, on Friday against Manchester West.
The football program, which has a total of 52 players on its varsity and junior varsity squads, will play against Division V teams such as Sanborn Regional, Bow and Campbell.
"We won't be the biggest team out there, but we have a lot of athletes," said Raycraft, also the head varsity football coach.
Raycraft said he and the other coaches have been showing the players proper form and techniques at practices to help them avoid injury.
Lights will be rented for the game at 7 p.m. The school's pep band will play before and during the game. There are no bleachers.
Recreation Director Cheryl Haas said having the additional varsity sports is exciting for the town, and gives the youth league kids something to look forward to when they get older.
"To be on the varsity," she said.
In the meantime, the varsity athletes will serve as mentors to the youth players.
"A lot of them will go to the games," Haas said.
Between 60 percent and 65 percent of the school's students played on a sports team last year, Raycraft said. He expects a similar percentage of student participation in sports this year.
The switch to varsity contests should intensify rivalries, he said.
"Pelham is going to be the big one," Raycraft said.
During Windham's Homecoming, Sept. 18, it will host contests against Pelham. During Pelham's Homecoming, Oct. 9, it will host games against Windham.
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