Stanton Vs. Paxon Game
By Kate moore | Sports | Sept. 23, 2025
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (SCPDA) — On Sept. 12, Stanton College Preparatory School hosted their annual football game against rival Paxon School for Advanced Studies. Despite Paxon’s 35-15 victory, the energy in the Stanton stands remained high all night long, with a greater attendance than any other game this season. This large number of students in attendance was due in part to the excitement and competitive school spirit that comes with the rivalry.
“It’s a good way to show our football team that we support them. I think showing the other school that our school is united and we’re all standing together cheering [is important],” said junior Jessie Ye.
The game gave students an opportunity to spend time with friends who they may not share schedules with. Members of the audience cheered, chanted, and listened to the music of both the band and the speakers playing in the student section. Although these are traits of all Stanton home football games, what made Friday’s game so special was the rivalry.
“It’s important [to have a rival school] because it’s fun and it shores up school spirit,” said junior Luca Kravljaca.
The idea of a rivalry is oftentimes defined by its competitiveness. While this may suggest feelings of jealousy and antagonism, it can also connect students from both sides of the field. Some students at Stanton are friends with those at Paxon, and this rivalry game is a chance for them to reunite and overcome the workload that sometimes consumes their schedules.
“[The rivalry is] more like a connection, and it brings our schools together, even though it's through competition, it lets us have a closer connection,” says Paxon sophomore Ridhi Patel. “I’m excited to see all of my friends from both Paxon and Stanton and have a really fun time tonight.”
The dress theme for Stanton was “Blackout,” contrasting with Paxon’s white on the other side of the field. Students felt that dressing to the theme was one of the best ways to show school spirit. Though it is a tradition for each football game, this theme specifically was a continuation of the school spirit week, which promoted the event. Additionally, Stanton’s Student Government Association decided to raise the stakes.
“[This game] is especially important because the class that has the biggest attendance turnout wins pep rally points. So that [would] put us ahead of the game and mean that we could possibly win the pep rally, which is like the biggest goal in the school,” said sophomore class officer Nicole Jiang.
Jiang also explained that the exact number of points it is worth has yet to be announced.
Another highly anticipated event was the marching band’s field performance at halftime, which blended music and dance. Sophomore Meera Patel, member of the Stanton marching band, explained that Friday’s performance marked the first time this year the band performed on the field.
“I was really excited to perform on the field. I was also really nervous, but I’m glad that we were able to put on a really good show,” said Patel. “Looking forward, you can expect a bunch of new songs, and fun during the pep rallies. We love when you cheer for us, we love putting on a good show.”
In addition to the music of the band’s performance, the color guard’s performance was another first. They danced fluidly and twirled flags in the air, and as the group left the field, the crowd clapped in sync with their march.
Beyond the sounds of the organized entertainment, the student section was loud with not only chatter but excited screaming and cheers as students encouraged each other to make more noise. The stands were so crowded that sometimes the stairways between them were blocked. The great and energetic turnout was a simple but strong way for students to express pride in being a Stanton student.
“Without school spirit, it’s just school,” said freshman Ava Dagan.
This football game went beyond being a renewal of the Stanton-Paxon rivalry. It was a reminder of the importance of school spirit and the enjoyment of those who we experience it with.