LEWES, DE -- The cheers were loud and the excitement evident at Nicola Pizza in Lewes as Cape Henlopen's beloved Vikings received an enthusiastic send-off before their upcoming state championships on Friday night.
Parents, friends, and faculty, armed with bright yellow pom-poms and hand-made signs, gathered to express their pride and support for the team.
Joy Bitter, a Cape Henlopen parent, shared the significance of the moment.
"It's been 44 years since we made it to the state championships," says Bitter. "Nicolas fed them in 1979, they're feeding them today. Just everything is in the works for a win, and we're super excited, and we really hope to see you guys again and let you know that we won!"
The team ate at Nicola Pizza before almost every game this season. General Manager Kelly Small emphasized how this tradition feeds not only the players' bodies but also their souls.
"They're such a great group of kids," says Small. "You know, all season long just watching them grow and change, it's been a lot of fun to be a part of it."
Reflecting on the team's journey, many parents recalled a time when the Vikings faced challenges.
"It's just remarkable to see a team that is the underdog to be where they are today, and I think that's just what's so awesome about it," says Gretchen Wyshock.
As the team took their last bites, hugged their families goodbye, and loaded up the bus to embark on their journey to Newark, their support system kept one thought in mind.
Alison Myers from the Cape Henlopen School Board encouraged the team, saying, "Play hard and know that your entire community is behind you, and that no matter what the outcome of the game is, you guys are all winners."