(November 23, 2004) — Floodlights illuminate the field; fans inhabit the stands with arms crossed and teeth clicking away, and there they stand. Clouds of steam billow from their nostrils and mouths as they stand behind the gates waiting for the call. The call to arms, the call to battle, the call to… victory. Their name is cried and together they surge forward, their minds seething with the thought of breaking the losing streak that has been an impediment upon their school’s pride. On Nov. 12 high school football history is made as the varsity Hoover Tornadoes break the curse on the 76th annual rival game beating Glendale Nitros 42-28. The game opened up with the teams doing the traditional ripping through a paper sign so as to release the helium balloons that bore the school colors. And finally after much screaming, cheering and our national anthem, Glendale kicked off and Hoover received. But Hoover did not progress far until Glendale made a quick interception of the ball and ran for the touchdown, taking the Nitros ahead 0-6 in less than a minute. Moyse field was alight with Glendale spirit and many predicted the winner of the game after a minute into the first quarter. But little did they know. Junior Michael Darmiento said, “There were no great parts to the game because we lost! On the first offensive play we made a touchdown and it was a great start, but we didn’t end the game as well.” Following the first touchdown, it all went downhill from there for Glendale as they had three fumbles for the night and one interception, which was returned for a touchdown. The Tornadoes fought back viciously, halting Glendale at every other yard line and making sure not to provide them with any slack apart from two fumbles, in which the Nitros recovered one for a touchdown. After three quarters and a fading sense of glory for the Glendale fans, Hoover finished the game 42-28 and the crowd literally went wild. After a 24-game losing streak and the ceaseless guessing of Hoover’s loss, Hoover was victorious. Screaming and flailing his arms about, a fan sprinted by me and the Hoover team disappeared for a second to return to the field dancing to the glorious ringing of the long-awaited Victory Bell. While cheerleaders skipped and danced and players beat their chests, the Nitros disheartened by their loss ran a lap and met behind the bleachers. “It sucked,” commented senior Mark Walters. The Tornadoes celebrated, dumping ice-cold Gatorade atop Coach Dennis Hughes’ head and soaking in the glory. Fans not only celebrated that day, but students came to school on Monday to find social science teacher Nick Doom clasping his hands together and shaking once and then twice over both his shoulders in victory, while senior administrative secretary Barbara Melone was forlorn at Glendale’s loss. But Darmiento did not give in. “Mark my words: The next year, it will not happen like that.”