They smear on their war paint, and chant their battle cries. They coordinate their armor, and line up to face the enemy forces. No, they are not preparing for a battle they are getting ready for a football game.

On Friday, September 23, 2016 our very own Geneva High School Vikings took on Elgin’s Larkin High School Royals at the homecoming football game. However, as opposed to brushing over the game’s highlights, Voyager takes a look at the fan sections of both teams and their traditions.

“We have been coming every Friday night home or away in order to go support our buddies” says Blue Crue super fan Jack Thompson.

Each Friday night in order to spice up the game atmosphere, the Blue Crue coordinates different themes of attire for the Geneva fan section to wear.

“I like the black-out because you can wear the senior boys’ sweatshirts, and the pink-out because it brings good awareness to breast cancer,” explains Geneva fan Cara Murphy.

Yet, Larkin’s fans geared up differently.

“USA! That’s my favorite.  Everyone goes all out for it.  USA is definitely one of our biggest and best turnouts,” exclaims Larkin fan Naomi Hibbler.

Nonetheless, Geneva fans vastly outnumbered Larkin’s fan section by a landslide.

“We might not be the biggest, but we’re definitely one of the most passionate. Where we lack for numbers we rank up for in passion, so yeah,” Larkin fan Daniel Strom said.

The Geneva section is so overwhelmingly full that the fans need even more space in order to fit.

Geneva fan Julianna Heredia says the fan section is, “… you don’t have enough room to stand or sit.”

Despite the intense competition between both sides, the game inevitably ends, and both fan sections go home supporting their teams, no matter the outcome.

As Naomi Hibbler says, “No matter if we win or lose the fan section is always a great environment because we got a lot of school spirit and it’s great to be with your friends and cheer on your school.”