In professional sports, atmosphere and environment are some of the biggest factors when it comes to the difference between victory and defeat. Although at a smaller scale, it can make a difference in high school sports too. It is often assumed that the home team generally enjoys and prefers their perceived advantages, however not all players seem to agree.
“Playing on the road is definitely harder,” linebacker George Logan (’27) said. “At home we have our home crowd and band playing behind us.”
In football, communication is vital, with it being incredibly important that the players can hear the quarterback. Normally in a high school game, the crowd alone can’t interfere with the players receiving the QB’s commands, but when the band is playing it gets incredibly loud. When the band is playing during the away team’s offensive drives, it becomes much harder for the players to hear or even concentrate, greatly disrupting the away team.
“I prefer to play at home because of the whole atmosphere, but I like winning on the road,” wide receiver and defensive back Xander Logan (’25) said. “It’s always fun to send [opposing fans] home disappointed.”
Robinson has faced large amounts of adversity this season, leading to us becoming underdogs in most of our games. With the Knights often being viewed as the lesser team, it definitely feels good to beat the opposition and prove to them that Robinson can win. However, away games still can’t replicate the atmosphere when RHS plays at home.
It’s generally assumed that a team should have more home wins. With the crowd and the band behind them, a better locker room, familiar fields and not having to travel, playing at home yields numerous benefits. Still, despite these advantages, Robinson has struggled to perform well at Jack Peters field. Over the past two years, Robinson is 5-4 away and 5-5 at home, having a better record when traveling to face their opponents.
“There’s always more stress to win at home,” Xander Logan said. “You don’t want to send your friends home disappointed in you.”
When you are the away team, generally only a select group of parents and the band are there to watch. When you play at home, you are competing in front of your friends and teachers, people you see every day, with the fear of their judgment for a loss present every time the players compete in front of their home crowd.
The atmosphere plays an undeniable part in team performance. However, due to a variety of other factors, as well as the preferences of the players, Robinson doesn’t necessarily do better at home or away.
