Walled Lake Western celebrates 13th annual Warriors For Warriors Pink Out

Walled Lake Western hit the field on Friday night against rival Walled Lake Central in a game that was about a lot more than just football as the program recognized members of the community that have battled cancer in the 13th annual Warriors For Warriors pink out game.

Prior to the game, there was a Warriors parade, a performance of both a combined choir and band made of middle school and high schoolers, and a special ceremonial coin toss.

Former Walled Lake Consolidated Schools PTSA president and staff member Sarah Piggott was this year’s honorary captain. Piggott received her cancer diagnosis in March, but has never wavered in her determination to beat the disease while actively advocating for our schools.

“I am overwhelmed and just so grateful for Warriors For Warriors,” said Piggott. “This committee does everything to make you feel like you are absolutely, undeniably a courageous fighter and that is all it takes to make you want to continue on your journey.”

“Playing for these people that battle every day is amazing,” said Novak Lazich, who wore ‘Mrs. Piggott’ on the back of his jersey. “I’m playing for the most wonderful woman I know, she’s like a mom to me.”

“We always talk about adversity on the football field, but these people are fighting adversity in their real lives,” said head coach Kory Cioroch. “It’s awesome to be able to honor them, and put their names on our backs, and play for them.”

On the field, the Warriors dominated. Walled Lake Western cruised past Walled Lake Central, 63-9, to clinch the 2024 City Championship, its third-straight Lakes Valley Conference title, and close out its first unbeaten regular season since 2015.

“It all starts with the city championship, and then that leads into trying to win the league, and then we went 9-0 in the regular season,” said Cioroch. “We’ve accomplished every goal that we’ve had thus far, and we get to start a new season on Monday.”