Panthers celebrate every level of the football program, connect with young athletes and families, and receive an unexpected gift recognizing their service to the community. NAPPANEE, Ind. — Andrews Field was filled with Panthers of all ages Friday evening as NorthWood Football hosted its annual Red/Black Scrimmage and Football Family Night, bringing together the high school, middle school and youth programs for an evening centered on football, family and community. The night began well before the first snap of the scrimmage. The high school program arrived at Andrews Field for team pictures beginning at 4 p.m. By 5:45 p.m., families and young Panthers began filling the field for an opportunity to meet the high school student-athletes, collect autographs and take pictures with some of their favorite players. At 6:15 p.m., NorthWood's youth flag football and tackle football teams were introduced, giving the youngest members of the program an opportunity to take center stage at Andrews Field while they ran through the NorthWood Football program tunnel of players that stretch from the endzone to the 50-yard line. The youth portion of the evening concluded with one of the night's signature moments — a program-wide photograph featuring NorthWood football players from youth flag football through the varsity level. For one evening, the entire pathway of NorthWood Football stood together on Andrews Field. Before the Red/Black Scrimmage began, however, the focus shifted from football to service. Creekside Church of the Brethren recognized members of the NorthWood Football program for recently volunteering their time to assist the church with landscaping improvements. More than 15 members of the program participated in the service project. Pastor Rosanna McFadden addressed the team and those in attendance before presenting NorthWood Football with a $1,000 gift in appreciation for the work completed by the Panthers. The presentation came as a surprise to head coach Nate Andrews and the student-athletes who volunteered. McFadden shared the church's gratitude for the group's willingness to serve and the quality of the work they provided. Andrews expressed his appreciation for the unexpected contribution while emphasizing that receiving something in return was never the reason the Panthers volunteered. He shared that the gift was unnecessary and unexpected because the true value was found in the opportunity to give back to the community. Andrews also extended an offer for the program to help others in the community who may need similar assistance. The moment served as a fitting reflection of what Football Family Night represented: a football program connected not only from its youngest participants through the varsity level, but also to the community it represents. Following the presentation, attention turned back to the field as the middle school and high school programs took turns competing in offensive and defensive series during the annual Red/Black Scrimmage. The controlled scrimmage provided student-athletes with an opportunity to compete under the lights at Andrews Field while coaches continued evaluating their teams in preparation for the upcoming season. While the Red/Black Scrimmage provided a first look at the Panthers on the field, Friday's evening was about something larger than football. Young players met the student-athletes they hope to someday join on Friday nights. Middle school and high school Panthers shared the same field. Families filled Andrews Field. And a local church returned to recognize a group of student-athletes who had quietly given their time to serve others. From youth flag football to varsity, Friday night provided a picture of the NorthWood Football family — and the community surrounding it. NorthWood Athletics thanks the families, coaches, volunteers, youth organizations and community members who helped make Football Family Night possible and extends its appreciation to Creekside Church of the Brethren and Pastor Rosanna McFadden for their recognition of NorthWood Football. The Panthers now turn their attention toward the start of the 2026 season.