By Millie George, Staff Writer
River Hills football team kicked off in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month with a “Pink Out Game” on October 24th. The Hawks, sporting pink-lettered jerseys, won against the Marriotts Ridge Mustangs 35-6.
“It was fun to see everything all pinked out, and it was for a good cause!” said senior cheerleader Samara Resnick.
The cheer team got the crowd hype with pink pom-poms and hair bows. In addition, the cheerleaders showed their support for breast cancer awareness by putting pink breast cancer stickers and tattoos on their faces.
The River Hill Angels Network club at River Hill does a fundraising event for breast cancer each year at the pink game where they sell pink tie-dye t-shirts. While the game proceeds and concession collection are put towards the Board of Education and the River Hill boosters program, the Angels Network club is able to raise a significant amount of money that gets donated to Breast Cancer Awareness foundations. “The pink tie-dye shirts are a cool way to raise money and help the school have spirit for the pink game. Also, who doesn’t love a pink shirt?” says Junior Alexander El Sawi.
Students agreed that the pink theme brought exhilaration to the bleachers. The pink out game is a highly anticipated game throughout the fall season. Students find joy in dressing in pink capes, hard hats, and tutus. The game was filled with fun as the Hawks kept a strong lead for the entirety of the game, ending in a big win.
The amusement was present not only in the stands, but on the field as well. With the addition of football and cheer’s senior night and the pink theme, the players were fired up.
“It was calm because we were in the lead the whole time.” Robertson completed a 96-yard run off of a kick return, ultimately scoring a touchdown for the Hawks. “The vibes were high and everyone was having fun on the field” says junior Nicolas Robertson.
Head Coach Brian Van Deusen agreed that the energy on the field was great. “We played our best game all year, [and] our leading rushers were Logan Shatzer for 155 yards and 1 touchdown and Landen Araojo for 98 yards and 3 touchdowns.” He expressed that both the offensive line and defensive line played very well throughout the entirety of the match.
Coach Van Deusen helps organize the concepts for the Pink Out football game each year. “We want to show our support and honor survivors and those affected by cancer,” says Van Duesen. Van Duesen explains how River Hill was inspired many years ago by the National Football League to begin hosting a pink-themed football game. “Our players and fans wear pink to show support and honor survivors and those affected by cancer.”
Contributing to the pink theme, River Hill players wore navy blue jerseys with their numbers being pink. “I liked the pink, it was a good change” says Robertson. The players support a variety of different jerseys depending on the game, but the pink jerseys were specifically made in support of breast cancer awareness. With these jerseys, the players got the chance to switch up the typical navy, Carolina blue, yellow and white jerseys for a touch of pink to support a good cause. Many of the players expressed their enthusiasm for the pink numbers they had the chance to wear. “I think the addition of pink to the jerseys was so cool,” says Senior Johnothan Noorwood.
From valuable plays in pink numbers to pink outfits covering the stands all the way to pink poms on the sidelines, the Hawks had a blast taking the win over the Mustangs and supporting Breast Cancer Awareness. As part of the proceeds from the tickets are donated to Breast Cancer research, students came out to support not only their schools football team but also to support a good cause. All students left the field with a huge win, and with high spirits for the annual October pink out game.