The Blackout Pediatric Cancer game, which has become annually the most attended high school sporting event in the community, raises thousands of dollars each year for the Helen Devos Pediatric Oncology Resource Team (PORT).
Funds are directed towards making children suffering from cancer a little more comfortable during their hospital stays. Community members sponsor jerseys every year to honor their loved ones, regardless of age.
This night of the year, the Wildcats play for something greater than a winning streak or conference title.
With less than a minute until the game starts, the Wildcats race onto the field, ready to take on the Grand Rapids Christian Eagles.
The game has at last begun, and the cheerleaders (left to right: Amber Timmer, Bailey White and Chloe Blumke) rally up both the team and spectators.
Sophomore Armann "Mister" Irving makes an impressive sprint down the field, coming in mere inches of the end zone. He sets the Wildcats up for their first touchdown of the game, putting the score at 7-0.
The student section is ecstatic, to say the least. Northview is certainly the underdog against the Grand Rapids Christian powerhouse; every point counts.
Seniors Donyea Robertson (left) and Wayne Topp (right) watch their teammates from the sidelines. Topp, who personally sponsored the jersey, wears it to pay tribute to his mom.
Senior Noah Krull (center) throws up bull horns. The band plays tunes throughout the game to hype the student section, including the catchy My Girl by DJ Ötzi. Photo credits to Addison Forbes.
Senior, wide receiver and cornerback Jacob Szurna takes down an Eagle, narrowly preventing them from scoring. The student section, in turn, chants "Szurna Island!" Szurna wears Pinard on his back to honor his grandpa, who passed away in 2020 to Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Another Wildcat touchdown! Junior Michael Hoard darts around the track, waving the Northview flag in celebration. Photo credits to Addison Forbes.
Drum majors Lilly Childers (front) and Erin Fennema (back) work together to lead the band in their halftime performance of "Villian". Photo credits to Addison Forbes.
Halftime celebrations don't end with the band's performance. "Freshman cutie" Tyris Thomas strolls down the line of senior girls awaiting their chance at a smooch (more so pats on the cheek in a post-pandemic world).
Student section leader Jada Barnes Ross catches her peers' attention as they ready for the next halftime tradition.
Less than two minutes left until the third quarter starts. As the football team takes the field, the students whip out their phone flashlights under the guidance of Barnes Ross.
The Wildcats discuss their preferred Eagle extermination methods before the start of the second half. Photo credits to Anna Quartell.
The game concludes in another Wildcat victory, the final score 22-14. The football team wasn't the only winner; $19,740.50 was raised for PORT. Photo credits to Brooke Gunderson.
The boys run to meet the student section on the other sideline. The student body screams the Fight Song in jubilee. Photo credits to Addy Forbes.
Credits:
Unless otherwise noted, photo credits to Victoria Witke