FARMINGTON — School spirit is on the rise for students at Mt. Blue High School as the Cougars prepare for Friday night’s homecoming football game against Leavitt Area High School.

Each year the Student Council plans Spirit Week leading up to the homecoming game and a creation of floats for a parade at halftime, Mt. Blue Athletic Director Todd Demmons said.

This year, the home field location gave way to construction at the high school but that hasn’t stopped the festivities. They’ve just tried to think differently, he said.

There are no floats, no pep rally this year. Instead students decorated hallways with hopes of winning prize money for their classes, and each day dressed in different colors, he said. Some different halftime events are planned.

“It’s going to be the game of the season,” Demmons said of the two teams, both with a 5-0 record. “There’s been a lot of interest so far with Fox and Maine Sports Network coming up.”

While coach Gary Parlin said he has “a lot of respect for the Leavitt team,” he was quick to voice what an excellent team Mt. Blue has this year. The Cougars adjusted to several changes without Caldwell Field, all without complaint, he said.

Practices take place at Academy Hill School in Wilton but for home games, the team changes in one of the portable classrooms and is then bused to Kemp Field, a mile or so south of the high school. The students have taken the changes in stride. Many grew up playing on the field; it’s home to them, he said.

Kemp Field is the home field for the Mt. Blue Area Youth Football Program, one that teaches the game, gets kids involved in sports and learning team concepts in preparation for high school play, Steve Haley, program director, said. About 150 RSU 9 students in grades three through eight participate each year.

The program started 10 years ago and inherited the field from Art Kemp of Kemp Enterprises Inc. after initially playing at Hippach Field. Volunteers worked on the field, local businesses provided materials and fundraisers supported the work. Kevin Vining became involved, lending his crew and equipment from E.L. Vining Construction to help with the field and parking lot, Haley said.

The Mt. Blue construction project has helped make the field even better. Vining said he was fortunate to subcontract for part of the project, a deal which meant demolition materials came under EL Vining ownership.

The lights, scoreboard, part of the bleachers at Caldwell Field and a storage shed raised above ground for the local radio station all were moved, donated and installed at Kemp Field by Vining. Some bleachers were replanked and painted. A chain-link fence was carefully taken down and set up at Kemp Field. A concession stand for the All Sports Boosters’ sale was moved instead of being crushed and buried, Haley said of Vining’s efforts.

“It’s a great place for 120-150 kids playing each year,” Vining said, a number that includes his own children in the youth program. “I’m happy to be part of it.”

But it wasn’t only Vining. Steve Haley was instrumental in making it a successful program. He’s done a great job in leadership and organization over the last few years, Vining said.

The school and youth football program have worked well together making an opportunity for both football programs.

“They’ve understood our needs, taken turns and been cognizant of the conditions of the field,” Haley said, crediting Mt. Blue Assistant Athletic Director Rob Olson with being a great partner.

“Olson does a day and a half of work each day,” coach Parlin said. “He’s one of the best.”

Mt. Blue’s team “are great kids” with 20 seniors on board, Parlin said.

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