Border Bash is full of team spirit
Unlike most of his peers, Andrew Steyer didn't feel the need to wear a Greenbrier High School T-shirt to show his school spirit.
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Blue Ridge Elementary pupils Chase Hall, 6; Brittany McLeod, 8; and Victoria Hall, 10, try to create the perfect hot dog at the Panther Pack Border Bash before the Greenbrier-Lakeside football game.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Instead, the 14-year-old decided to show off his body while wearing green paint from head to toe with the word "Wolfpack" painted in gold on his chest.
"I didn't feel like wearing a shirt because (that's) not creative," said the enthusiastic Greenbrier football fan, who had help from his next-door neighbor. "We're going to lose our losing streak. We're looking forward to Greenbrier winning."
On Friday, more than 100 Lakeside High School and Greenbrier fans convened at the Lakeside Middle School football field for the first Panther Pack Border Bash. The event featured a tug-of-war, a spirit competition, face painting, two school bands, body art and more.
Sophomores Morgan Paul, 14, and Aleshia Britt, 15, said their sole purpose for coming was to root for the home team.
"Go Lakeside," yelled Britt, who wore purple mascara in her hair and burgundy paint on her body.
Paul said they had a reason to celebrate.
"We felt like going all-out," she said. "This is a big game."
While the sound of cheers and trash-talking filled the air, several Lakeside and Greenbrier fans stood in large droves exchanging a few harmless words.
Greenbrier High School varsity cheerleader Jasmine Bennett gets a decal applied to her cheek by Cara Griffin during the party.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
The rivalry dates back several years, said Jake Wood, 14.
"Most of us went to Riverside Middle School," said Wood, a Lakeside junior varsity football player who sported his jersey with a cowboy hat and boots. "When Greenbrier was built, we split up."
Lakeside Principal Jeffrey Carney said the bash, which was sponsored by the Lakeside Student Council, will be an annual event.
"We're just trying to promote a good opportunity for our kids to come to," he said.
John Smith said the bash was an idea sparked from last year's face-off.
"Last year the student council had a huge tailgate with a couple of hundred people," the Athletic Association vice president said. "They thought it would be neat to turn it into a bash."
With the help of more than 30 volunteers, Smith said, the Athletic Association prepared to feed more than 1,100 students with free hotdogs, chips and soda.
Decked in a green-and-gold shirt, Omba Kipuke, 14, waved a green flag with a gold "G" insignia.
"I'm going to show a lot of spirit," said Kipuke, a Greenbrier freshman who confessed that his mother helped him make the flag. "I'm here to celebrate and have a good time."
Matt Hedman flips hot dogs for the tailgate party for Lakeside and Greenbrier high school students before the game at Panther Stadium in Evans. The Wolfpack won.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Several Lakeside fans were eager to show off their student-designed T-shirts, which bore what turned out to be a prophetic message: "History Repeats Itself ... Lakeside vs. Greenbrier. Relive the Past. Sept. 19, 2002, LHS 35, GHS 28."
History did repeat itself: For the second year in a row, the visiting team won as the previously winless Wolfpack upset the Panthers 35-28.