The Pirate spirit was strong and widespread for the week of homecoming. From the volleyball game cheering to wacky dress-up days, Polson Pirates showed up.  

Homecoming week kicked off with a barbecue on Monday with 120 students coming to eat hot dogs and play yard games. Athletic Director Sean Dellwo explained high attendance continued for the entire week with the highest percentage he’s witnessed in the last three years.  

Dress-up days for the Pirates included biker versus surfer, anything but a backpack, decade day, skittles and, of course, purple and gold day. With different themes throughout the week and various class competitions, Polson tallies up the most participation of students.  

“Skittles day, that's class color, and that's an easy one, accessible for all students and so students do a really good job,” Dellwo said. “We had over 50% of the student body participate in that one, and then Friday, ending it with purple and gold day, is always our best theme day. We're close to 60% of our student body participating.”  

Dellwo said the seniors won the class competition and the freshman won the best homecoming float. Throughout the week Pirate volleyball, cross country, golf, soccer and football teams played.  

“Tuesday, we had the volleyball game, and we had the biggest student section ever,” Dellwo said. “That student section was impressive. And I would say that's a huge home field advantage, especially in volleyball. That was a great way to kick off the week.” 

Volleyball faced off against the Bigfork Valkyries with a score of 3-1. On Thursday cross country headed to Hamilton with the Polson girls to take the win and boys placing sixth out of 15.  

Polson Golf headed to state in Sydney with Max Milton taking third and Cashton Brown taking eighth place, which led golf to gain third place overall. But soccer and football took some losses with the boys' soccer team losing 2-0 against Stevensville and the girls tying 0-0.  

Under the Friday night lights the Polson Pirates took a hit against the Whitefish Bulldogs with a score of 41-6.  

“We started out being very competitive, and I think we have some work to do, we gotta have a little bit of grit,” Dellwo said. “Coach Oakland does a phenomenal job of building these kids up, and that's what he's going to do forward in the season.” 

Dellwo explained again on Friday night that the student section was massive again and regardless of how the game was going the students stayed and supported their classmates.  

“It's an amazing atmosphere to be around,” Dellwo said. 

    Polson homecoming court includes Holden Emerson, Ciri Nice, Truman Sawyer (king), Mackinzi Bartel, Brody Bulette, Arianna Fisher, Maddox Bird and Josie Henricksen (queen). (Emily Messer/Leader)

    Polson Pirate Daniel O’Roake is taken down by the Whitefish Bulldog defensive line during their homecoming game on Oct. 3.

    Little girls look down for the best candy as the Polson High School parade coasts by. (Emily Messer/Leader)

    The Polson High School floats theme for homecoming was “Muzzle the Mutts,” as Polson Pirate Football takes on the Whitefish Bulldogs on Friday night. (Emily Messer/Leader)