Spooky season – some say it’s the best season – but this year is different at DHS.

On Oct. 31, the Panthers play football, which means the cheerleaders, dance team and band will all be there.

The football game starts at 7 p.m. and can go until 10 p.m. or even later, which takes up the entire evening.

Trick-or-treating usually starts when the sun goes down and ends around 10 p.m., meaning many students won’t get the chance to go. 

For those who love Halloween, that’s a big disappointment. Some students have been dressing up and trick-or-treating with their friends for years; now they have to find new ways to celebrate.

So what will the students do?

“I usually go trick or treating, but I think this year, after the game, I’m just gonna go hang out with my friends,” sophomore cheerleader Joci Schott said. 

For Schott and others involved in the game, missing out on the usual Halloween fun is part of their commitment to their team, but not everyone at DHS is required to be there.

Some students are still unsure about how they’ll spend their night, debating between showing school spirit and sticking to Halloween traditions.

“I don’t know if I’m going to go to the football game or if I’m trick-or-treating; I’m still deciding,” junior Amelia Kerby said. 

Even though the game may cause scheduling conflicts, not everyone is upset about it. Some students take it as a chance to relax, stay home and enjoy a quieter Halloween evening. 

“I’m just going to sit at home and probably hand out candy,” sophomore Emma Casey said. 

Others might try to do both – catch the first half of the game, then squeeze in a little Halloween fun afterward. Some are even planning to show their spirit in costume, hoping to bring a bit of Halloween energy to the stands.