It was a jam packed night when the Valparaiso Vikings took on their rivals the Chesterton Trojans at Valparaiso High School. A series of events filled the night as one of the area's biggest competitors battled it out during the biggest night of the year.
Before the game started a football tradition finally made its way to Valpo. After two previous cancellations VHS's seniors actually had their chance under the spotlight for Senior Night. Between the football team, the team's managers, the Vikettes and Valpo's cheerleaders there were 35 seniors who took a walk across the field with their loved ones.
Collin Vinyard, a senior and a running back for the Vikings, said that Senior Night is a bittersweet occasion. "It's got here quicker than I thought it would. I'm not sad about tonight finally being here - I'm actually more excited than anything. My parents are a little sentimental about it but they're just as excited as I am."
Rohna Gilliam, a senior manager for the Vikings, was a little more nostalgic about the night. "It's a big night for all of us, it's such an accomplishment. Tonight really shows how far we've come and it's really a reflection of the last four years. It makes me cry thinking about it because this is the last time I'll ever be doing this."
The night's festivities were no where near coming to a close after seniors and their relatives walked off the field. There was so much happening on Friday that it could've been the most chaotic night of football in the region. Not only was it Senior Night, it was also Meet the Vikes night, there was a pre-game party hosted by the Valparaiso Schools Foundation, a homecoming dress giveaway by Catherine's Bridal, another giveaway of a free tablet, Valparaiso High School's Principal Dr. Reid Amones did his ice bucket challenge, there was a halftime performance by the Valparaiso Vikettes, and a raffle for a Plasma HDTV.
The icing on the cake of the night, though, was the electric atmosphere due to Valparaiso and Chesterton's deeply rooted rivalry. A rivalry by definition is a competition between two similar groups but this rivalry is much more - it's hatred.
Valparaiso's students, donned in gold and togas, were passionate about their dislike towards Chesterton. Michael Jindra, a senior at VHS, gave a siring example of Valpo's contempt towards the opposing school, "If someone from Chesterton would come to our school I wouldn't even make a move to talk to them. We're not even on speaking terms."
Thomas Gooding, a VHS student, also gave an explanation on what the rivals are like, "If someone from Chesterton would follow me on twitter I wouldn't even follow them back." Gooding stated. "That's how much I can't deal with [Chesterton]."
Though the digs at each other could go on, Jindra said that they were counting on their cheering to motivate the Vikings towards securing a win against the Trojans. "I think our energy will translate onto the field easily. They already know we're going to be cheering for them and I believe that all will lead to them dominating the game."
CHS students, on the other hand, had a much more apathetic take on the battle between the two schools. Taylor Eaton, a junior at Chesterton, explained that being a part of the student section means more to them than bitterness, "I think this is a great game during the season because everyone comes together it's such a fun time. Our student section is awesome, I love cheering for the boys, and this is a game we can go out to and call our own." Audrey Stelzer, a senior, agreed. "Everyone always looks forward to this game. This rivalry is what every school looks for to make a great night. So look out VHS, we're comin' for ya."
And they did. The Trojans kept a lead during most of the game, keeping it 23-0 until the last twenty seconds when Valpo scored their only touchdown. Once the last ten seconds counted down on the clock both teams shook hands and made their way to the opposite ends of the field. The Trojans quickly took their place in front of their student section, sung their fight song, and held their helmets proudly up above their heads. The rivalry between the two schools will continue on but for that one night Chesterton secured their victory and bragging rights to become Northwest Indiana's most satisfied football team.
Click here to see more photos from the game!
Bottom two photos courtesy of Caroline Dykes and her GoPro.