The high school football season involves much more than players on the field making plays.
The season also includes a potent mix of cheerleaders and dancers, marching band and color guard members as well as a loud, devoted student body endlessly cheering for the team.
In the end, students may not remember the games won or lost, but instead the sense of camaraderie among team members, as well as the sheer joy and wonder of the indescribable feeling of school spirit.
“[My] freshman year, it was COVID,” senior cheerleader Hailey Morris said. “There weren’t really a lot of people in the stands, but now this is my senior year. There are a lot more people at the games, so it’s a lot louder. Our football team has really progressed a lot throughout the year, so it’s just a lot bigger and more fun.”
In preparation for the season, players have not only been putting in work as a team, but on their own time as well. According to senior Diego Lopez, there is a lot going on behind the scenes that prepares players for games each week.
“I’ve drank a lot of water to stay hydrated and definitely get a lot of sleep,” he said. “I like to workout on my own on the weekends sometimes, so I can come back to practice on Monday physically fit and able to finish in a strong way.”
Football players are not the only ones preparing for the season. Both the band and color guard have been working hard to perform at their best during halftime. The extensive preparation allows members to bond as a unit and perform at a high level week in and week out.
“We’ve done a lot of practice at band,” sophomore Alexander Fyfe said. “We’ve been practicing since summer. We’re putting in a lot of work and dedication.”
According to color guard member junior Tega Agbro, her coaches have started assigning school work to the team, in addition to practice outside of school.
“For the past two years, the only grades we had were rehearsals and contests and games, but now we get actual assignments,” she said. “This helps a lot because it helps make sure we all know our work, the count structure, and our movement.”
The long hours practicing and rehearsing for games has fostered a close-knit environment between members of the dance team.
“I’m looking forward to connecting with all the girls this season. This first season together is so important in getting to know each other,” junior Viviana Clemente said. “So far, I think we’ve done a really good job.”
Players say it’s important not to get caught up in all the mayhem of football season. For many seniors, it’s their last one, making it of utmost importance that they make the most of their final games.
“Now that it’s the last year, I really think about how this is the last time I’m ever going to play. I can’t take anything for granted,” Diego said. “Whatever happens will affect the rest of the season, which is ultimately the last one.”
Every team has certain pre-game rituals, the football team being no different. It is a critical part of forging a sense of unity and camaraderie.
“We pray before the game,” Diego said. “In the locker room, we get pumped up before going out to the field. [Our coach] gives us a big pep talk about being ready for the game and going out there and beating them.”
In the moments leading up to games, the cheerleaders take a different, more lively approach.
“We listen to music a lot. We go crazy. We dance and jump around,” Hailey said. “It’s just a big party.”
For members of the band, football season is unlike any other time of the year because of the excitement and commotion that accompanies it.
“Marching band is super exciting compared to concert season. It’s super exciting just because of the energy,” Alexander said. “In concert band, we’re sitting down the whole time, but in marching band, we’re moving and making formations.”
Similarly, this time of year is also exciting because of crowd involvement. The cheerleaders and highly-spirited students generate excitement among the crowds, establishing a connection between the two forces.
“I love football season. I think cheering at games is the most fun thing in the world to do,” Hailey said. “The energy from everyone in the crowd and the football players and the rest of my team brings such fun school spirit and involvement.”
Like the cheer team, the student section does their part in encouraging the team, no matter the circumstances.
“We cheer together, and we never give up on cheering,” senior Elijah Betancourt said. “If they’re losing, we cheer them on to try and win the game.”
There is nothing quite like football season for students. It is an unrivaled opportunity for students to show up in masses, creating a sense of unity among the community.
“My favorite part of the student section at football games is how we all get together as one, and we unite,” Elijah said. “We’re like a team, but not on the field.”
