Long Beach students and families celebrate annual homecoming

Posted Friday, October 31, 2025 12:22 pm

The crowd, the lights — it was Long Beach High’s Homecoming football game at Veterans Field.

Photos courtesy Long Beach schools

Long Beach High seniors Sydney Brandt, left, Abigail Moehlenoff, manned the table where they sold lemonade to raise money at Homecoming.

The Marines got set on offense and as the Colts looked for the perfect defense to stop the next plat during the Oct. 10 game.

By Jeff Bessen

It wasn’t Odessa, Texas, but the “Friday Night Lights” burned bright in Long Beach as the Marines took on the Calhoun High Colts in what became a 14-7 Homecoming win at Veterans Field on Oct. 10.

Before the game, students, families and community members took part in the annual Homecoming carnival, sponsored by the student government organizations, in the middle school parking lot. Attendees spoke with club members, played games and participated in activities that highlighted Long Beach pride.

Fans then filled the bleachers decked out in blue and white to cheer on the Marines. Before kickoff, family and friends to celebrate their final Homecoming appearance, and escorted senior football players and cheerleaders onto the field.

The pep band played and the cheerleaders led the crowd in supporting the team. During halftime, the color guard, pep band and varsity cheerleading squad delivered energetic performances that had the crowd on its feet.

The celebration continued with the annual Bulldog Dash, which had Long Beach youth football players racing across the field and the crowning of this year’s Homecoming king, Maurice Dupree, and queen, Julia DiGiorgio.

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