The 2015 Peoria student handbook has a specific way of classifying the different cultures at the school:

“Currently Peoria is one of the most culturally diverse high schools in the state,” Peoria Principal Paul Bower writes.. “We have students from all over the world who attend here.”

Translate Bower’s statement onto the football field and a brotherhood has formed.

Senior running back Sonatane Zabala and junior running back Juwaun Price don’t feel diversity is the right word to describe the team.

“Honestly, when you say diversity, nothing is really different around here,” Zabala said. “We are all the same. We are Peoria kids.”

When Zabala and Price brought up a different meaning to the word they wanted to keep it inclusive.

“Everybody is out there talking about diversity,” Price said. “But out here, we actually feel like brothers and on the field we say, ‘We are brothers, family and we have each other’s back.’ ”

Peoria coach William Babb was once a student-athlete at Peoria and has learned what it is like to deal with people of different cultures.

“I think it translates to life in general,” Babb said. “You're going to have to deal with all different types of people. This is the United States. We are made of different types of people from different backgrounds.”

Babb said he believes football is a mirror of life.

“With our kids being exposed to so many different types of people, different races, ethnicities and groups,” Babb said. “I just think it opens our kids up a little more to getting to know people.”

Zabala said it helps knowing people have their backs, and that Babb is one too rely on.

“He’s a Peoria kid too,” Zabala said. “He grew up how we grew up. No one treats you different. We are all equal. It's simple. That's how it should be.”

Babb said Peoria and the football team have allowed his players to be exposed to other races.

“(Football) gives them an opportunity to get to know people for who they are,” Babb said.

The team has performed as one this year, finishing the regular season 7-3. Not to mention, the Panthers will face the Walden Grove Red Wolves (7-3) in a home Class 4A playoff game Nov. 3.