Photo by Brady Black

What makes Red Devil football fans scream louder and clap harder than fans of other sports? It is not merely our teams’ winning streak that keep fans intense at a game, but the contributions of other Red Devil teams on the side of the field and up in the stands. The marching band, She Devils dance team, and Red Devils cheer squad work together to maintain the Red Devil Pride though out the season.

 It was hard to miss the marching band’s cover of Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” and the Rolling Stones’ “Paint it Black” at Friday’s home game against Delphi. But even before players ran out on the field, band members had fans cheering and ready to see the football team gain another victory. In order to entertain fans at Friday’s games, the marching band also devotes their Monday and Wednesday afternoons to learning approximately ten new songs to be played during pre-game shows, half time, and the game.

 She Devils dance team member and junior Kay Krueger says that their goal for every home football game is to “create a fun, positive atmosphere in the crowd,” which they achieve with flying colors. Performing dances at the pre-game show and half-time, often in collaboration with the marching band, the She Devils are able to wow already revved up fans with complicated dances. The choreography for their routines don’t just pop out of thin air though – co-captains Haley Arndt and Melissa Freiser work to choreograph dances in just hours for football games. But for the She Devils, practices don’t stop at the end of football season. The real work starts heading into December, the start of their competition season, when dances are choreographed more intricately with the help of the She Devils head coach, Joy McEwen, and are performed in competition all the way up to the state level.

 The Red Devil cheer team added new members to their squad this season, mentoring girls from Cumberland and teaching them basic cheers that are performed during the first half of the game. In addition to teaching mini-cheerleaders the ropes, the Red Devil cheer team practices their own interactive cheers and stunts that keep the crowd involved with the game. Varsity cheer also travels with the football team to away games, supporting the team no matter where they play.

 Thanks to the marching band, dance, and cheer teams, fans are able to interact more with the football game. And if you just can’t get enough of the dance and cheer teams, they will be joining the marching band in the gym this basketball season in support of both the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams.