Panthers Hold Black and White Game

Panther Stadium in Loysburg came alive this past Thursday evening as the 2023 Panther Football team took the field for the annual Black and White game. The evening was full of activities showcasing the students of NBC who will soon be an integral part of the Friday night lights for the Northern Bedford County School district. The evening also showcased the new stadium lights that were installed at Panther Stadium this summer. These state of the art lights with color changing features were funded by one of the many grants Northern Bedford County School District was able to secure to make improvements to the school campus. The evening was started with a pep rally featuring the NBC marching band and followed by performances by the varsity, junior high, and mini cheerleaders before the introduction of the 2023 Panther Football team.

The marching band, directed Larry Sarvey and assisted by drum majors Ebbie Berry and Jackie Clevenger, entered the stadium to the familiar cadence that set the upbeat mood of the evening. An alternative rock genre was chosen as the theme for this season and music selections reflected that theme well. The band front, consisting of even performers under the leadership of Alexis Mock, performed alongside the marching band and added to the spirit of the evening. Band members participated in a week long band camp in early August which kicked off preparations for the 2023 marching band season and prepared these musicians for the upcoming performances for the football season.

Following the band, the NBC Junior High cheerleaders, under the direction of Tess Crawford, took the field performing a choreographed dance and showcased the skills of these young cheerleaders as they added to the energy of the evening. The squad of seventh and eighth graders then performed several cheers that incorporated stunts with cheerleaders being lifted into the air by one another. The squad will cheer on the junior high football players as they take the field this fall.

The varsity cheerleaders, under the direction of Lindsey Cherry, took the field next and performed a choreographed dance which added to the enthusiasm of the evening. They also showcased several stunts where the team worked in unison to safely send a cheerleader flying into the air and another stunt where a cheerleader did a spin in the air with her teammates' assistance. This talented group of young ladies will be fun to watch as they keep the crowd engaged this season cheering on the boys in black and white for NBC.

Closing out the pep rally portion of the evening was the mini cheerleaders. This group of young ladies, ranging from first grade to fifth grade, showcased the cheers and dance learned while participating in a mini cheer camp the week prior that was led and taught by the varsity and junior high cheer squads. The energy of this group was a great way to close the pep rally portion of the evening for the fans.

As the 2023 Panther football team prepared for their debut and introduction to the home crowd, the marching band and all cheer squads created a tunnel at the north end of the field to welcome the team into Panther Stadium. The 2023 football team will be once again under the leadership of veteran head coach Gary Black. The team of 49 players were each individually introduced to the fans upon entering the field. For 14 seniors, this was the last Black and White game they would participate in as players and these boys showed their dedication to the team throughout the night. All the players demonstrated great skill and sportsmanship as they scrimmaged their teammates in front of a crowd full of fans. Many members of the youth football program, consisting of players in grades 1st through 6th, were in attendance as well to support their varsity players in this tradition to kick off the season and generate an upbeat spirit throughout Panther Nation. The Panther team will begin the regular season at Southern Huntingdon at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023.