Published: Wednesday, Dec. 03, 2008 / Updated: Wednesday, Dec. 03, 2008 12:50 AM

Spirit soars at Northwestern and South Pointe

The hype over Friday's historic state championship football game between Northwestern and South Pointe high schools hasn't yet hit high gear at either campus. But the buzz is building.

Officials at both Rock Hill schools are scrambling to plan pep rallies and other events. Students said posters will go up, and fan gear will be on sale later in the week.

Meanwhile, both campuses are celebrating a well-timed spirit week.

Here are highlights from both schools:

Spirit week

Tuesday was Twin Day at Northwestern High, and sophomore wrestlers Zachery Fetuao and Miguel Espinoza went all out. The 16-year-olds showed up sporting matching mohawks, identical black T-shirts and orange floral skirts.

"Nobody was doing it," Espinoza said, "so we had to show the spirit."

South Pointe's spirit week has taken on another name. "It's salad week," said junior basketball player Jasmine Wright. "We're doing 'toss the Trojans (Northwestern's mascot).'"

Each day's theme coincides with a salad dressing. Tuesday was Hawaiian, or Thousand Island Day. After school, Wright stood by her locker in a long-sleeve button-up shirt striped with every color of the rainbow. Two leis hung around her neck.

Road trip

Students from both schools are planning to trek more than 100 miles to Clemson to cheer on their teams.

Northwestern junior Zach Watts said he's leaving school early on Friday to drive down. Others said they plan to carpool.

A South Pointe booster club has reserved three charter buses for students to ride.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," said South Pointe junior cheerleader Anitra Hall.

Analysts

A game as big as Friday's appears to be turning students into football analysts: "If we don't get the big head," said South Pointe freshman Jeremy Brown, "if we shut down Northwestern's passing ... we could win."

This from Northwestern senior Clayton Goadden: When we shut down (South Pointe quarterback) Stephon (Gilmore), we'll win."

Bands

South Pointe's band director James Turner dropped by Northwestern on Tuesday for a friendly planning session with band director Larry Wells.

The rival schools' football teams may be gearing to go head to head, but the bands are planning to join forces.

"We're doing a combined mass band," Wells said.

They will perform together during Friday's halftime show.

The game marks a new rivalry, they said.

"Northwestern vs. South Pointe has sort of taken on what used to be Northwestern vs. Rock Hill," Wells said.