There was no escaping it during the football game at Cottonwood High on Thursday night. Everywhere you turned, there it was -- the color pink.

The programs were printed on pink paper and the color dotted the field and the stands. Players from Cottonwood and Cyprus had pink wristbands and shoelaces. A closer look revealed the pink cancer ribbon sticker on their helmets and eye black.

Fans wore pink jackets and T-shirts. The first-ever Swing for Life high school football game between Cottonwood and Cyprus was well-received and patrons didn't mind opening their wallets to support the cause.

All money raised before and at the game would be donated to cancer research through the Swing for Life charity.

Heading into the game, the schools had already raised $7,300. The goal was to reach $10,000 before the night was over. With raffles, a silent auction and booths selling shirts and hats, Rowland Hall's Kathy Howa thought the proceeds would exceed expectations.

"I think it'll be more than that," said Howa, who started Swing for Life. "It's just amazing to look out and see all the pink."

The game didn't matter much when it came to region standings or postseason implications -- the Colts dominated and won 52-8. But it did have significant meaning to some of those involved. For Cottonwood senior Kyle Aberton, football was an outlet when he learned his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer six years ago.

Football

helped him get through it and he wanted the sport to help others, too. He helped make the game a reality and both schools supported the idea. Even though it was Aberton's last regular season game on Cottonwood's field, it meant more that he was able to help bring awareness to the cause.

"It was really emotional for me," Aberton said. "When my mom got sick, I wanted to do my part but I was too young then. This is just a start and we can continue the game and raise more money."

The game also touched breast cancer survivor Jackie Sudbury. She is the sister-in-law of Sonny Sudbury, who was a longtime coach at Cyprus. She's been to hundreds of football game but none quite like Thursday night's.

"This isn't just a regular game. We're trying to fight it. We're all on the same side," Sudbury said. "Cancer, it doesn't care who you are or how much money you have. It touches so many people."

Even one of the referees got chocked up. When Jackie -- along with Sudbury's wife Sherry, another cancer survivor -- went down to the field to do the coin flip, she saw a referee get teary-eyed. Every one of the officials volunteered to work the game and every one of them has been directly affected, or has a loved one affected, by cancer.

Kirk Mattson, the head linesman, had surgery recently to remove thyroid cancer. He will start radiation in two weeks. It won't keep him off the field for too long, but this was a game he's glad he didn't miss.

"My perspective has changed in the last two months," Mattson said. "It's great to see people want to make a difference and it was an honor to be a part of it."