While the 2022 Taco Shack game might have resulted in a final score we would all like to forget, Taco Shack 2022 still produced many moments worth remembering.

Most significantly, the campus enjoyed the first Taco Shack pep rally in three years. The last time a Taco Shack pep rally was held on campus the current seniors were freshmen.

McCallum also managed to beat Anderson in the annual KXAN Taco Shack Spirit Competition for the fourth year in a row. The cheer and Blue Brigade squads went up against the Anderson cheer and dance team in a decorating contest of each respective Taco Shack restaurant. 

Thanks to some furious last-minute voting from the parking lot of Lamar Boulevard Taco Shack early Thursday morning, McCallum eked out a victory by a margin of 17 votes out of more than 2,000 cast.

Prior to that spirit contest, cheerleaders from both McCallum and Anderson met up at The Domain NORTHSIDE for a friendly cheer-off competition. McCallum suffered a narrow loss, but since the votes were so close, the Domain decided to award both squads the winners’ check of $1,000.

This week’s Tuesday Top 10 explores a tumultuous Taco Shack 2022, the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, all swirled together.

SENIORS GOT SPIRIT: Mabry Adair was sentimental about her final experience with Taco Shack Bowl and its festivities.“I think Taco Shack is a great way to feel united as a school,” Adair said. “It’s fun getting pumped up with everyone.” Although the Knights did not take home a victory this year on the field, an exceptional win was found in school spirit. “The rivalry with Anderson is a great part of going to McCallum.”

Caption by Julia Husted. Photo by Evie Barnard.

GETTING IN THE SPIRIT: On Saturday, Aug. 20, the cheer team gathered at the Domain Northside for a cheer-off against the Anderson cheer squad. Freshman Vivian Medina thought the cheer-off helped prepare her for cheering at the Taco Shack football game. “The cheer-off help me feel out what it would be like to cheer in front of a crowd,” she said. “It helped me overcome some of my nerves and got me excited [for] the game.”

Despite narrowly losing the Domain cheer-off and the football game, Medina felt that this year’s Taco Shack was still a positive learning experience for the cheer team. “I was a little disappointed but I know there’s always next year. We know now what we can work on and what we can improve.” 

Caption by Francie Wilhelm. Photo by Meredith Grotevant. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: When halftime rolled around, the Blue Brigade stole the show. After many hours spent in practices and early morning rehearsals, their hard work was put to the test in front of a stadium of thousands. Sophomore Mary Mae Forsyth expressed her appreciation for this year’s audience.

“During halftime, we need to step up our game and give that extra jolt of school spirit, especially because our football team wasn’t doing so hot,” Forsyth said. The dancers got the crowd excited again and put on an award-winning performance that brought positivity to the unfortunate circumstances of the game.

Caption by Isley Cameron. Photo by Dave Winter. 

A SHOW TO REMEMBER: With full stands and high expectations, the pressure for a perfect halftime show was on. “I was nervous but excited,” freshman Mady Siege said. “We hadn’t practiced without the markers that we used on the parking lot.” Despite the nerves and obstacles, the band still managed to perform what Siege felt to be an incredible show. “I was relieved after we marched because I felt like we did pretty well overall as a marching group.”

Caption by JoJo Barnard. Photo by Dave Winter. 

MILES AND MILES: Senior Miles McCollum leads the Knights onto the same field where he suffered a season-ending injury a year ago. Although he and his teammates were unable to turn the final score the Knights’ way, McCollum made an impact in the game, often drawing Anderson multiple blockers when he lined up on defense. The Knights may have lost, but at least McCollum made it through the game with his health intact. That’s one improvement from a year ago.

Caption by Dave Winter. Photo by Charlie Partheymuller. 

CHEER UP: Senior Ary Sanchez flies through the air as she performs with the cheer squad during Thursday’s game. Although the Taco Shack Bowl ended late in the evening, Sanchez’s game day began at 5 a.m. as the cheer squad was up early to promote Taco Shack on KXAN. “The whole day was kind of chaotic and a little stressful but being able to be in the pep rally and cheering at the game made everything worth it,” Sanchez said.

Caption by Lanie Sepehri. Photo by Dave Winter. 

A LEARNING EXPERIENCE: For senior Jack Stites, walking across the field as one of four captains during Thursday’s game couldn’t be more rewarding. “It feels like a lot of hard work paid off,” Stites said. “I’ve spent a lot of time over the past three years preparing for this.” Before every football game, the chosen team captains for that game participate in the coin toss. The toss determines who kicks off and which side of the field the Knights will take first. Despite Thursday’s loss,  Stites says there is nothing to do but learn from it. “We’re a young team,” Stites said. “We knew we would have to take this as a learning experience.”

Caption by Naomi Di-Capua. Photo by Charlie Partheymuller. 

U-KNIGHT-ED WIN OR LOSE: Senior cheerleader Genesis Ritcherson links pinkies with other members of cheer, football and Blue Brigade to sing the school song during the finale of the 21st annual Taco Shack Bowl. For Ritcherson, the moment contained many emotions as her last Taco Shack game of high school. “It was bittersweet to say the least,” Richardson said. “As a cheerleader, I was anxious and sad that my friends had put in all this time and hard work not to win. But in the end, it’ll be a night that I’ll remember for a long time.”

Despite the disappointment from the ultimate outcome of the game, the night still remained special. “You’re not just representing the school, but yourself and your family,” Richardson said. “At the end of the day, I’m so proud of everyone who performed.”

Caption by Alice Scott. Photo by Dave Winter.

COACH G IS A G: Coach Gammerdinger watched his team lose the biggest rivalry game of the year, and then delivered his post-game speech in front of a sea of long faces and hanging heads. “The players were disappointed. They should be. These guys have been working really hard, and I think the real disappointment is that we didn’t play anywhere near what we’re capable of,” Gammerdinger said. “The big talk after that game was, obviously it’s disappointing, but we’re looking to get better every day from here on out. I really do believe that by the end of this season, we’re going to be a good football team.”

Caption by Caroline Owen. Photo by Dave Winter.

HANDS IN THE AIR: Students burst at the seams with school spirit every year during the Taco Shack Bowl pep rally. Freshman Jojo Barnard enjoyed her first experience at the iconic annual rally, despite the overwhelming atmosphere of the packed gymnasium. “I thought it was fun and there was a lot of school spirit showcased, but it was too crowded.” Although students are packed together like sardines, it brings them closer for a more collective and lively event. Although the Knights didn’t win the football game, they won in spirit.

Caption by Sofia Thatcher. Photo by Evie Barnard. 

TEAM SPIRIT AND TROPHIES: KXAN reporter Matthew Mitchell interviews senior cheer captain Kate Bachman and senior Blue Brigade captain Sophia Kramer just moments after Mitchell announced on live television that the Knights had won the Taco Shack spirit competition for the fourth straight year. The margin of victory was a slim 17 votes out of more than 2,300 votes cast. McCallum trailed Anderson 52 percent to 48 percent earlier that morning, prompting a furious last-minute parking lot vote that appeared to turn the tide McCallum’s way.

Caption and photo by Dave Winter.