By Kari Hartman Daily Herald Staff Writer

A lot is riding on tonight's cross-town classic in Naperville.

Bragging rights, undefeated records, the chance to get to see the losing team's principal wearing the winning team's colors.

That's right. Naperville Central Principal Tom Paulsen and Naperville North Principal Peter Pasteris have arranged a little side bet for tonight's game between the Redhawks and Huskies.

If North loses, Pasteris will have to spend a day wearing red and white and will have to visit Naperville Central in those colors early next week.

If Central loses, Paulsen will have to don blue and orange for a day and visit Naperville North.

Both principals plan on bringing an extra sweatshirt to tonight's game. After hearing the final score, the principal of the winning team will hand off a school sweatshirt to the principal of the losing team so he'll be ready to wear it either Monday or Tuesday.

"When the Redhawks win, (Pasteris) will have to wear the Naperville Central sweatshirt in his school all day," Paulsen said. "Then he'll have to make an appearance at Naperville Central for 15 minutes."

While Paulsen is confident Central will be victorious, Pasteris has faith in his Huskies.

"We might be the underdog, but I've always felt it's best to go in where other people are not expecting things from you," Pasteris said. "I know Naperville Central is a high-powered machine, but I know our kids will be up to it."

And Pasteris said he might just mention to the North football team what they'll see Paulsen doing if they win.

While both principals plan to stick to their bet, they say it's a friendly one.

"We talked to each other about doing something cute and fun, something that's symbolic of the rivalry," Paulsen said.

But Central and North staffs plan to be cordial - they're even having a combined tailgate party in the stadium parking lot before the game. There they can chat and enjoy some pizza and pop with colleagues from both schools.

That is, of course, until game time.

Then, both principals suspect all staff members and students will head to their respective sides of the field.

"There's a lot at stake," Pasteris said. "It's great to see both schools undefeated. That makes it even more exciting."