October 5th marked the date of North Arlington High School’s annual homecoming football game.  It closed an eventful Spirit Week which featured the Homecoming Dance and the very first Alumni Night. The Vikings played the Glen Rock Panthers at 2:00 p.m., following a parade leading down from the high school to Rip Collins Field. Included in the parade were the cheer team, marching band, football team, and members of the homecoming court. Pink balloons and students dressed in pink attire filled the stands, in recognition of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

At the field, before the start of the game, one last ceremony was carried out: a speech was given by Mr. Kenny in honor of Ed Campbell. Campbell had been an announcer at Rip Collins for over a decade, and was considered “The Voice of Vikings Football.” His family, including his daughter, Veterans Middle School principal Nicole Russo, was presented with a microphone that had been used by him in the years he worked as an announcer. Following the commemoration, the national anthem played, kickoff commenced, and the game was on.

The homecoming court was announced one-by-one during halftime, and their achievements as well as post-graduation plans were shared. The Vikings marching band, cheer team, and the Panthers cheer team performed their halftime shows following the dedication, with the Panthers marching band having performed pregame.

Despite the game ending in a loss for the Vikings, the fans’ spirits remained high throughout the match and proudly displayed school pride.