Glenbard N. pumped up for match with Mount Carmel

The floor rumbled as hundreds of feet pounded the bleachers in anticipation.

"Cinderella hasn't stopped dancing yet," Don Depa, a Glenbard North High School football coach, yelled into the microphone.

More than a thousand students, faculty members and fans cheered in agreement.

The 14th-seeded Panthers got pumped and ready Friday afternoon for today's Class 8A semifinals game against top-seeded Mount Carmel High School at Chicago's Gately Stadium.

Mount Carmel is a perennial football powerhouse that's ranked 22nd nationally by USA Today.

But with Glenbard North toppling two undefeated teams just to get to this point, the Carol Stream school is hopeful that a trip downstate might be in its future.

Friday's pep rally was aimed at revving up the troops to support their team.

As each football player was announced to the crowd, he raced into the gymnasium past Victor E. Panther, the stealthy mascot, with plenty of high-fives, chest bumps, body slams and celebratory jumps to go around.

But when the school's 6-foot-6 quarterback, junior Evan Watkins, entered the room, the tenor of the crowd hit a particularly wild pitch.

Then they got to see the team's other celebrated heroes on a video specially produced for the event, showing the season's vaunted touchdowns, airborne catches, tackles and precision passes.

It seemed the beginning of the journey to the Thanksgiving weekend game downstate.

Now if only Mount Carmel complies.

"Maybe next week we can have another pep rally and go to the state championships," Principal John Mensik told those assembled, while wearing a shoulder-length wig comprised of the school's signature gold and black colors.

Those not planning to make the trek to the game today can catch it live on Comcast Digital Channel 100.