It’s a tradition going back more than 60 years — the Proviso East vs. Proviso West high school football game.
This year’s matchup, played Saturday, Oct. 23 in Maywood, was East’s homecoming game but saw the Panthers come away with a 58-34 win.
The players grinded on the field on a cool sunny day with the Pirate marching band carrying the crowd in “On Proviso!” every time the Pirates scored. The stadium was abuzz with alumni, and grills packed the north end of the stadium for reunions and kindred spirits.
The West Panthers took the lead in the first half, scoring four rushing touchdowns and outpacing the Pirates at the half, 36-20.
After halftime shows from the Pirates cheerleaders, the talented and athletic Pirateers, and the field performance of “Now That We Found Love” by Heavy D from the marching band, the Pirates took the field with renewed spirit in the second half.
Early in the third quarter, the Pirates got back on the board with a scoring pass to Tyler Thomas, narrowing the lead to 10, before the Panthers pushed back with a rushing touchdown and two-point conversion to close the quarter. The Pirates scored again to open the fourth quarter but it was the Panthers who found the opportunities late, completing both a passing and rushing touchdown to close out the win.
