New stadium sparks excitement, good times ahead

By Dalay'a Pinkney

News Editor

With exciting performances and a victory against Thornton High School, with a score of 49-6, students, families, and community members gathered under the Friday night lights on Sept. 12 to celebrate the opening of Crete-Monee High School's new stadium.

Photo by Tavauge Starling. The stadium opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Fans wearing blue and gold, displaying their Warrior pride, crowded the bleachers to capacity. Blue beaded necklaces and faces painted made everyone stand out.

The food was excellent, with two food trucks, an ice cream truck, and concession stands. Fans had plenty to enjoy, from tacos, fresh lemonade, and sweet treats.

"Yes, I thought the food was amazing, a little bit overpriced. But I thought it was great. I brought a bunch of friends and had a good time," Carson Harrington said. 

The sounds of soda cans popping blended with the smell of food. Also, to help everyone remember the evening, a merchandise table sold hats, hoodies, and shirts.

Video by Jacob Powell. The night's ceremonies added even more hype. The ROTC marched proudly as the school band played the National Anthem, filling the stadium with energy and pride. 

"I feel like the performance went very well,” Harrington said. "The band was good. The cheerleading was a little iffy — there was one fall. But other than that, they did a pretty good job."

Cheerleaders brought the hype, dancers wowed the crowd, and the Colorguard's flags lit up the field.

"My favorite definitely probably has to be just the field and the posts in general, just the way it shines in the night is just so beautiful," Harrington said. "Yes, I thought the stadium was pretty, and it definitely showed our Warrior pride."

"Yes, I'm gonna try to attend every single one of the games, because I just love it,” Harrington said. 

Teachers, security, and police all kept things running smoothly, smiling as they made sure everyone was safe and having a good time.

The stadium itself was a showstopper, featuring shiny new bleachers, bright lights, fresh turf, and a massive scoreboard.

"It's cool and better than the last stadium," Cherish Williams said. 

The senior class of 2026 brought a touch of fun to the celebration by stepping out in their "White Lies" T-shirts. 

"This is more than just a stadium. It represents school pride," Kamya Rice said. 

The Crete-Monee football team finished strong with a well-earned victory. The air was filled with laughter, and the stands roared with excitement.