The Hamilton varsity football team is bringing Hawkeye pride beyond the Friday night lights this season by visiting each of Hamilton Community Schools’ elementary schools throughout the season.

The first stop was Hamilton Elementary on Friday, Oct. 2, as part of the district’s Homecoming celebration. Players walked the halls, greeted students with high fives, heard enthusiastic “Let’s go, Hawkeyes!” chants and even joined a fourth-grade physical education class for line tag and stretches.

Hamilton Elementary PE teacher Megan Petersen said students were thrilled to welcome the team.

“These kids were cheering. They were excited. They lined the halls. They got to do high fives, and they got to hear the Hawkeye fight song,” Petersen said. “Some of the players who were in here went to school here as little kindergarteners, so they got to walk through seeing their halls in a different way and being the heroes of the school.”

For junior football player Hudson Basler, the visit was a meaningful return to a place filled with memories.

“I went to Hamilton Elementary. I came from here. I’ve got a lot of memories,” Basler said. “Obviously, going back into the gym and seeing Mrs. Petersen is really fun.”

Basler remembered spending time in Petersen’s physical education class and said returning to the school felt nostalgic.

“We had lots of fun in that class. It’s kind of nostalgic because that’s where all the fun happened in Hamilton,” he said.

Junior football player Bennett Haverdink also recalled one of his favorite elementary school activities.

“I always remember playing Pac-Man tag. That was my favorite game,” Haverdink said.

The visiting players joined a fourth-grade class for a modified game of line tag. To keep the activity safe and enjoyable, the football players moved at walking speed while the elementary students ran.

“We safely played, and nobody got hurt,” Petersen laughed. “And we all had a great time.”

For the players, the visit offered an opportunity to see their former school from a different perspective.

“Walking through the halls growing up here, obviously a lot has changed, but it’s been so much fun to come back and just experience all these memories again,” Basler said.

“It’s kind of cool because this was me about 10 years ago,” Haverdink added. “It’s kind of cool seeing it.”

Sophomore quarterback Nolan Schrock said the visit was especially meaningful because he was able to see his younger sister at school.

“It was really fun just getting to see all these kids. It was fun to see my sister and just see her in class. That was cool,” Schrock said.

The experience also reminded Schrock of the responsibility older students have to serve as positive examples for younger Hawkeyes.

“It didn’t feel that long ago when I was in elementary school and looked up to all these football players,” he said. “I feel like it’s my job to set the example for all these young kids to do the right thing.”

The Hamilton football team will continue visiting the district’s other elementary schools throughout the season, giving players the chance to reconnect with their former schools and giving younger students an opportunity to see their Hawkeye role models up close.

“Go Hawkeyes! Let’s go!” Hamilton football coach Zach Harbison called out during his walk through the hallway.