Wake Forest will celebrate and honor the 2016 Wake Forest High School football team on Saturday, March 25, with the Cougar Walk of Champions.
Last season the Cougars won the 4AA state championship game in Raleigh defeating Greensboro Page 29-0. The team’s championship appearance marked the fourth time in six seasons the Cougars advanced to the finals as the 4AA eastern regional champions. Wake Forest High School’s football state title is the first for a Wake County school since Garner’s championship in 1987.
Since then, Coach Reggie Lucas, with a 101-15 record, was named the North Carolina Associated Press Coach of the Year and linebacker Darius Hodge, a senior and an N.C. State recruit, was named Defensive Player of the Year by the press group.
All area residents are invited to the event which will begin at 1 p.m. in downtown Wake Forest and will recognize the team for its consistency on the field, emphasize the school’s place in the town’s history, and demonstrate the collective sense of pride shared by the Wake Forest community.
“This is a group of great kids and our community recognizes and appreciates that,” Wake Forest Mayor Vivian Jones said. “These guys work hard and serve as wonderful role models for all the young people in our town. We believe that’s something to celebrate.”
Shortly after the Cougars’ championship victory, Mayor Vivian Jones appointed a nine-member committee to plan a celebration honoring the team. The committee is comprised of town officials, community and civic club leaders, and Wake Forest High School boosters and supporters.
Over the next several weeks the celebration committee will finalize the details about the Cougar Walk of Champions, but initial plans call for the parade to begin at the Depot Parking Lot, 110 South White Street, at 1 p.m., proceed south along South White Street, turn left at Owen Avenue, and conclude in Centennial Plaza in front of town hall. The Wake Forest High School Marching Band and the Wake Forest High School cheerleaders have been invited to participate in the procession along with the members of the football team and coaching staff.
The entire Wake Forest community, including fans, family members and supporters of the team, are invited to line South White Street and Owen Avenue to cheer the squad as it makes its way from the Depot Parking Lot to town hall.
Upon arriving in Centennial Plaza, the team will be greeted by Mayor Jones and members of the board of commissioners. The ensuing pep rally will include a few numbers by the band, brief remarks by local officials and school administrators, and more.
“We’re inviting the entire community to join us for our football team celebration,” said Mayor Jones. “It’s going to be an unforgettable day in downtown Wake Forest, and we don’t want anyone to miss it.”
