POULSBO — The leaves are falling, football is in full swing and North Kitsap High School is half way through its first semester.

That can only mean one thing: It’s time to crown a king and queen.

NKHS’ annual homecoming is this week — and the ritual display of school pride isn’t sparing any detail, save the exception of the “Powder Puff” football game this year. The week-long celebration culminates with North’s Viking football team battling Port Angeles at 7 p.m. Oct. 15 and a half-time coronation of the senior king and queen. Game night also includes a presentation of the prince and princesses of each class as well as the decorated class floats and seven sleek convertibles carrying the homecoming royalty.

“It’s exciting to prepare for the game and get everyone involved with it,” NKHS ASB vice-president Shayna Worthen said. “The more people we can get involved with it, the more fun it will be.”

The semi-formal homecoming dance will be held from 8-11 p.m. Saturday night.

This year’s theme is “Take a walk on the wild side,” and the school’s spirit days this week live up to the theme’s reputation. Monday saw students participate in “Wild Animal Day,” donning costumes from the animal kingdom; Tuesday was “Wild West Day,” with cowboys’ and cowgirls’ costumes the norm. Today is “Inside-Out Day” where spirited students turn their clothes in the opposite direction; “Neon Day,” Thursday promotes the wearing of wild colors around school; and Friday rounds out the week with the week with a traditional “Purple and Gold Day.”

Robin Alberts, the ASB advisor at the school, said the week is not as well known as it has been in the past, mainly because the school doesn’t have a leadership class this year. But that shouldn’t dampen the spirit, she added.

“It’s not as well advertised,” Alberts said. “But it will certainly still be a fun week.”

One big change in the week’s activities is the absence of the “Powder Puff” football game, in which the girls hit the gridiron for a juniors versus seniors game and the boys provide the cheerleading. But the game met its end a year ago, due to liability issues from on-field injuries.

“It’s very disappointing, not being able to do it this year,” Worthen said. “People aren’t getting into it as much.”

However, a “Power Puff” volleyball game, in which the boys from the junior and senior classes compete, did take place Monday night at NK gym. The week also offers NKHS students a chance to show school pride through participation in many activities, something that is not just important in their social lives but also academically, senior class advisor Doris Ahrens said.

“It remains a constant challenge to get kids involved in school activities,” Ahrens said. “Yet we know kids that do participate in these kinds of activities are more successful.”

As the sophomore, junior and senior classes gear up for Friday night, Ahrens warned that it will all be over in a bat of an eye, especially given the short half-time span for all of the events.

“I’ve got 10 minutes to do the parade and the coronation,” Ahrens said. “That speaker had better be fast.”