Superb Super Bowl Commercials

Super Bowl 50 was played on Sunday, February 7, 2016, ending with a 24-10 win of the Denver Broncos against the Carolina Panthers. With superstar Lady Gaga acing the National Anthem, and Coldplay, Bruno Mars, and Beyoncé rocking halftime, over 114.4 million people watched this historic game. While many watched the football game for the game itself, many others watched solely for headline-making, exclusive Super Bowl commercials. With many companies devoting millions of dollars for a thirty second ad, they are always sure to please.

Although this year there weren’t any heartwarming ads about lost puppies or puppy/clydesdale love, there was an ad featuring lots and lots of puppies. Heinz Ketchup’s Super Bowl commercial featured many Dachshunds, adults and puppies alike, dressed as hot dogs. These dogs proceeded to run towards a family of Heinz ketchup, mustard and other condiments, jumping on and licking them and having fun. Heinz celebrated this ad with the hashtag #MeettheKetchups.

#MeettheKetchups. Photo courtesy of Google Images. 

Another favorite commercial of mine was the NFL’s “Super Bowl Babies” music video. The NFL isn’t a regular sponsor of the Super Bowl commercial-wise, but in honor of Super Bowl 50, it created a cute music video. It starts with Super Bowl Babies born in 2008 wearing New York Giants hats, scarves and coats and the words “Data suggests 9 months after a Super Bowl victory, winning cities see a rise in births. They’re called Super Bowl Babies.” The video proceeds to show Super Bowl Babies of an assortment of victory years and a few “Super Bowl Parents.” It was a cute little testament to past Super Bowls.

Super Bowl Babies 2008. Photo courtesy of Google Images.

In my third favorite commercial, by Hyundai, actor Kevin Hart acted as a father whose teenage daughter was going on a date. He let her date take his car and tracked them all around town while they were on their date. He followed them to the movies and to the fair, even spying on them from a helicopter. The commercial made me and the entirety of my Super Bowl party attendants, a large portion of whom are parents, laugh very hard.

Kevin Hart, acting as a concerned father, spies on his daughter while she’s on a date. Photo courtesy of Google Images.

Coming in at a very close second, the Doritos “Ultrasound” commercial also made it on the list. In this commercial, a woman is going in for an ultrasound. Her husband stands by her side eating a bag of nacho cheese Doritos. On the monitor, we see the baby reaching for the husband’s Dorito. The husband moves the Dorito around, making the baby chase after it. The mother eventually takes the Dorito from her husband and throws it across the room. The baby proceeds to follow and everyone, the mother, father, and doctor begin to freak out.

My number one favorite commercial was the Mtn. Dew Kickstart commercial entitled “Puppy Monkey Baby.” It featured a hybrid puppy, monkey, and baby that crashes an apartment. All the hybrid says throughout the commercial is “Puppy Monkey Baby” and, at one point, licks the face of one of the men in the apartment between words. It’s a mix of terrifying, strange and cute; and in my opinion, is absolute perfection.

I adored the Super Bowl commercials this year, as I always have. They were a joy to watch and the game would not have been as fun or entertaining without them. From touching, to funny, to creepy, there was certainly a commercial for everyone.

What a Team!

On Saturday, November 14, Sacred Heart-Griffin played Crete Monee for a chance to play in the semifinals. However, SHG’s hopes fell short when, in the quarter final game, Crete Monee beat them 38 to 35. The close defeat was the only game the football team lost in three years. This SHG football team played phenomenally

Sophomore Cole Taylor holds the football as senior Austin Sommer kicks. Photo courtesy of Yearbook Staff.

throughout their years at SHG.

In the past three seasons, the Cyclones were unstoppable, defeating every opponent that stood in their way. In 2013, SHG won the State championship defeating Lombard Montini High School 38 to 28. In 2014, they beat Montini again for the state title 29 to 14.

This year, the Cyclones held their ground and ultimately won conference. Even though they played in Class 6A, they still triumphed. Senior Sam Bonansinga, an SHG receiver, shared his favorite game of the 2015 season. “Every game is fun, but playing Rochester was one of the most fun of my senior season. I was able to make a couple meaningful catches that had an impact on the game. Defense was also a big part of it, getting some big stops at key times from the entire squad.”

During the playoffs, the Cyclones moved forward. SHG easily beat Shephard High School 53 to 6.

The game against Peoria Notre Dame on Saturday, November 7, was a

Senior Avery Andrews makes a fantastic catch during the game against Peoria Notre Dame. Photo courtesy of Yearbook Staff.

stunning victory for the Cyclones with 61 to 38 as the final score. Peoria Notre Dame was up 14 to 13 in the first half of the game. Coach John Allison said, “What impressed me the most was the team’s ability not to get phased when we went down by a score in the second quarter. The players did not panic, they came back and answered.” SHG’s come
back resulted in its victory.

After the loss to Crete Monee, players and fans alike were sad to see the season over so soon. However, the memories of this season and past seasons will stay in the minds of the SHG football team for years to come. “I cannot say I have a favorite memory,” says Sam Bonansinga. “But the memories that I have gained throughout being an SHG football player with all of my friends is something that I would not trade for the world. I would do anything for any of them, and the relationships that I was able to make are going to last a lifetime. Going down to Georgia and competing, playoff games, two state championships and countless hours of blood, sweat and tears with my team has created an experience that I cannot even come close to explaining to anyone who has not done it for themselves. I’m truly blessed to have done it.”

I personally hope – and expect – that with the amazing coaching that we have here, the Cyclone football team can lead the school to future victories. Sam Bonansinga leaves the younger SHG football players some advice: “It goes by so fast. Because of this, take advantage of every opportunity to work, make a difference or better the team in any way. Nothing lasts forever, but while this blessing lasts, do everything you can to make it worthwhile, since once it’s done you won’t be able to play with this group of guys ever again.”

Fall in Love with Fall Sports

Second quarter has started, and with that comes the end of the fall sports season. From football to golf, the SHG sports program continues to shine, and this year was no exception. Although no state championships were earned, many students made it to regionals, sectionals, and a few exceptional athletes made it to State.

Our two-time defending State Football Champions led an undefeated season, winning the Central State Eight Conference. Crete-Monee, however, defeated SHG in a tight competition, taking away SHG’s hopes at a “three-peat”. 

Girls’ Swimming and Diving also had a good season. Sophomore diver Hannah Ketchum got third at Conference and talked about her experiences. “It was a lot of work but it was all worth it. Everyone worked really hard.” Seniors Izzy Garcia and Kailey Johannes, junior Bella Giacomini, sophomores Abby Fierstos, Madison Johannes, and Anne Mosley, and freshmen Cami Blair and Megan Rupnik, all moved on to sectionals.

Girls’ Tennis had a strong season. The girls played all over the Central Illinois Area, with individuals senior Isabel Cross, and juniors Claire Nachtwey and Hannah Abrahamson advancing to state.

Girls’ Golf, newly coached by Elena Holler, ended up winning their Regional. They, however, lost at the sectional, losing their chance at a state appearance.

Volleyball had an overall good season, with a winning record. The varsity girls, while advancing through regionals to Sectionals, however, lost to Quincy Notre Dame in the supersectional.

Boys’ Cross Country had a strong season. The team was successful this year, with senior Nate Fierstos advancing to the state meet. The team as a whole advanced to Sectionals from Regionals, in third place. They got 12th place at the Sectional.

Girls’ Cross Country also has a young, strong team. Sophomore Hannah van Houten qualified for state, with a 15th place finish. The team advanced from Regionals at fourth place, ending the season with a 10th place Sectional finish.

Boys’ Soccer, while at a better overall conference record than last year, they unfortunately lost their regional. This was the first time in school history that the boys lost to Springfield Southeast High School.

First quarter is packed with SHG sports. As winter approaches, we anticipate the beginning of new sports and new chances at glory. SHG athletics have always been strong, and they are bound to continue to succeed in the future.

First Quarter Recap

First quarter is already over and second quarter is starting. It seems like just yesterday summer break ended and students were trying to figure out their new schedules. However, a lot has happened since orientation back in August.

Before school started, many changes were already taking place. The lunch, both the cafeteria layout and the menu, changed to excite the students. A new grading scale brought more encouragement to the students. A new face at the school also appeared. Father Marty Smith has joined Sacred Heart-Griffin as the school’s chaplain. Both Father Marty and the new school ideas have been met with happiness.

As the school year started, many sports began their seasons. As homework started rolling in, so did athletics. Fall sports such as football, volleyball, cross country and golf started practices and games. Some students had to balance homework and training in a tight first-quarter schedule. Junior Maddie Mayfield’s favorite activity of the first quarter was the cross country season. “It is an amazing sport,” she explains. “All of the girls are so supportive and it is a fun sport. I’m very happy I decided to do it this year.” She decided to run the sport next year as well.

The Homecoming Court waits in anticipation to see who will be crowned king and queen. Photo courtesy of the Yearbook staff.

The main school events that happened this quarter included Spirit Week, Homecoming, and the second All-City Mass. Sophomore Killian Davis said that Homecoming was his favorite day of the first quarter. “I enjoyed the great times with my friends, and I danced hard, but not very well.”

Although the first quarter is over, the rest of the year is still to come. Both Davis and Mayfield said that their first quarter experiences were overall very good. They are both looking to the future school year with bright hopes. Mayfield said that she is looking forward to building friendships with fellow classmates and staying focused on her grades, while Davis is hoping to reach the milestone of getting his driver’s license.

The first quarter held many new changes and fun activities, as well as the start of another academic school year. With three-fourths of the school year to go, students should keep their heads up as they embrace the second, third and fourth quarters.

Packers vs. Bears

The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears, infamous NFL rivals, dueled it out on September 13 in Soldier Field. The Green Bay Packers have been closely watched because wide receiver Jordy Nelson is out for the season. Packers’ fans were on edge due to this loss.

Nelson is out for the season due to a knee injury that took place at a pre-game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers says, “It’s difficult to lose a guy like that in a meaningless game.”

The whole team has taken the loss of Nelson for the season fairly hard. He is known as a valuable asset to the team. Head coach Mike McCarthy said, “Jordy Nelson is a key member of our football program both on the field and off the field, probably more so off the field.”

However, Nelson’s injury did not stop the Green Bay Packers from taking on the challenge of playing the Chicago Bears. The first quarter began with a 28-yard field goal presented by Chicago Bears placekicker Robbie Gould.

Towards the end of the first quarter, a pass to Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was completed, following a touchdown by Packers player James Jones. This left the first quarter with a score of 7-3, Packers in the lead.

As the second quarter began, Bears player Matt Forte completed a one yard run, which resulted in a touchdown. Next, Packers player Mason Crosby scored a 37-yard field goal.  Incredibly, Robbie Gould then scored a 50-yard field goal, leaving the second quarter score at 10-13 Chicago Bears for the win.

At the start of the third quarter, James Joyce completed a pass from Aaron Rodgers. Once again, Robbie Gould scored a 44-yard field goal. The completed score of the third quarter was 17-16, leaving the Packers up by one. Tensions began to run high, making this fourth quarter very important.

The fourth quarter held a lot, especially for the Green Bay Packers. Randall Cobb completed a pass made by Aaron Rodgers for 5 yards and Mason Crosby scored an extra point. Another touchdown was completed in the fourth quarter by Eddie Lacy. Finally, Bears player Martellus Bennett completed a pass by Jay Cutler. The final score ended in 31-23 with Packers for the win.

Tough Enough for Powder-Puff

The 2015 junior-senior girls’ powder-puff game was on Sunday, September 20. It was a blast, with the seniors beating the juniors 21-7. The girls and their coaches, the junior and senior football players, had a lot of fun while battling for the win.

Even though the senior girls crushed the junior girls, every girl (and coach) had fun while playing or cheering on their classmates. The powder-puff game was a great bonding experience and memory maker for the classes of 2016 and 2017. Senior Sydney Compton said, “I’m glad I have the memories with my friends at powder-puff that I can look back on and laugh at!”

The junior offensive line tries to hold back the senior girls. Photo taken by Aili Eggleston.

With three touchdowns in the game, the senior girls triumphed again on the football field. The class of 2016 is the first team in years to win two powder-puff football games in a row, in 2014 as juniors and on Sunday as seniors. Sydney Compton expressed her pride for her class about this feat. “It feels pretty cool to be the only class to win two consecutive years in a row,” she said. “We have some really athletic and competitive girls in our class. I am not one one of them, but it’s great that we have those girls to help lead seniors to victory!”

On the other hand, with only one touchdown in the entire game, the junior girls ended the game in a loss. However, the junior girls are planning to step it up for the next game in 2016. “We could’ve practiced more because we weren’t really in sync,” said junior Kate Janes. “I think we need to plan in advance and make a better effort of practicing so that we can play more in sync and be more aggressive. I think we’ll win because we’re better than the current sophomores.”

Is Janes right? The student body will just have to wait and see next year.

For now, and as the days go on, both the junior and the senior girls look back on the 2015 powder-puff game with smiles and fun memories.