PARADISE TOWNSHIP -- A high school football game was supposed to be played Friday night at Pocono Mountain East, but district officials wanted to play the game in the daylight while everyone is still on high alert for an accused cop killer on the loose.
Pocono Mountain East fans came out for a big rivalry game at their home field Saturday. The crowds weren't as big as usual under the Friday night lights, but fans who did come to the game say they are making the best out of a trying situation.
Parents and fans made some noise for the home team at Pocono Mountain East's game against rivals Pleasant Valley at the team's football stadium in Swiftwater.
"First time in a long we've actually been able to play here, but it's on a Saturday, which sucks,” said Ryan O’Mallie, a senior.
There was a potential sighting of suspected cop killer Eric Frein near the school and football stadium last Friday.
District officials closed school Tuesday and all outdoor games and practices were cancelled, moved indoors, or held at other district fields for most of the week.
School officials say they moved Friday night's game to Saturday morning, so students and fans would not be at the school at night. That didn't stop Sheryl Sewell and others from coming out to the game.
"We are here for our boys. We are here for the boys. Go East! That's right. Go Pocono!" Sheryl Sewell said.
Sewell says the football season has been stressful for everyone: players, coaches, parents, and fans, while the manhunt for Frein enters its seventh week.
"We've been canceling games, postponing games, going to different fields to practice. Picking them up it's been really difficult this year," said Sewell.
Usually all the sports teams would have their own special senior night, but because of the ongoing search, the school has decided to combine all those senior nights into one special senior day.
"School spirit is actually higher than ever because of the situation we are under right now. People are really dedicated and you can see it in the kids too," said Charles Rajmai from Jackson Township.
There was only a handful of students in the cheering section since fans say Friday games are more popular. Those same fans are ready for things to go back to normal.
"When you see like dozens of policemen or soldiers or whatever they are walking down the roads with assault rifles and you are definitely getting used to seeing it," said Mimi DeHaven of Paradise Township.
Pocono Mountain School District officials say while there will be practices held outside at the Swiftwater campus with extra security. There will be no events outside when it gets dark out.