For the first time in the history of New Prairie High School, the Cougars' football team is going to state.
They will face the New Palestine Dragons in Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday. The Cougars' record this season is currently 13-1, losing only their first game of the season to long-time rival, La Porte High School, who is also traveling down state this year.
On Tuesday, La Porte hosted a joint pep rally between the two schools. You could hear both school's bands playing, both of which also traveled to state this year. The coaches, principals, and former alumni, from both schools, gave speeches. The two football teams also competed in "Minute to Win It" games. They also held a moment of silence for, what The Cougars' principal called "the 13th team member," Jamie Middlebrooke and Jake West, a La Porte player who passed away in 2013. The pep rally was wrapped up by all the students getting up and dancing the "Cupid Shuffle."
Now this isn't the only thing the Cougars have done to get pumped for state. While driving through New Carlisle, you can see many of the shops have decorated their windows in support of the Cougars. The cheerleaders have lived up to their names and have taken time out of their practices to decorate the guys' lockers, locker room, and the posters they run through before games.
The New Prairie Marching Cougars, which also made history this year by going to state, have played at every home game that the IHSAA rules allowed them to. New Prairie's Pom and Dance Team has actually gone to state a couple times and won state a few years back. They have also made a halftime appearance at the majority of the football games.
Since the first sectional game of the season, every Friday, the Couagars have a pep rally at the end of the day. Also, New Prairie vs. New Palestine t-shirts were printed up and today you can't find a place to buy them anywhere. Everywhere in town is sold out of these shirts. Many families have already found hotels and are making plans to see the Cougars play at state. No matter the outcome of the game, it is surely a good time to be a Cougar.
Photos by Tommy Miles.