Football is not just about the guys in the helmets and pads. It’s the coaches on the sidelines, the cheerleaders revving up the crowd, the band marching at halftime, and of course–the fans in the stands. The many people who contribute to the football experience can now reflect as the 2019 season draws to a close.

Head coach Mike McDermott finished his fourth year as head coach. McDermott spent countless hours, “more than a full-time job,” coaching the Trojans. When the season is over, McDermott has to organize what the team will do in the off season. This includes the summer weightlifting programs, what to change for future seasons, and how the team can best serve the community. 

The cheerleading squad also had a big role in football games. They were tasked with keeping the school spirit high even when the energy was low. Junior Beverly Dodson said, “We put a lot of time and energy into showing as much school spirit as possible, and I wished that more people knew that.” During the season, cheerleaders spent their time decorating the school, preparing for pep rallies, and learning how to be the faces of Trojan Pride. Practices could last as up to four hours before their homecoming performance. 

The “pride of AHS,” also known as the Trojan Guard, performed their last halftime show on Friday, Oct. 18. The band spent the first quarter preparing shows to perform at football games. The band had early morning practices every week. Junior drum major Reagan Watson said, “ I can focus more on my own things, and my life is a lot less busy.” Watson spent up to eight hours a week practicing and memorizing music to prepare for halftime performances. She said “I’m sad that it’s over, but I’m excited for the future aspects of band.” Now the band spends their time preparing for their winter concert.  Senior drum major Grace Clay said, “since May all I’ve been focusing on is marching band. It’s hard to focus on playing for pep band and concert band.” The transition from marching band to concert band is a big change that the band has to go through every year.

Senior Hana Holtz was sad to see football and marching band season go. Holtz is a four-year member of the marching band. Holtz said she wasn’t as sad as she thought she was going to be, but that is because the Trojan Guard will be performing one more time in Florida over spring break. She said, “I didn’t cry or anything … I know I’ll be lacing up the Dinkles one more time.”

Football involves more than just men in helmets. There’s the coaches who give up their free time to lead the team, the cheerleaders and marching band who bring energy a pride to the games, and the parents who support the school in anyway possible. Holtz said, “Football brings people to the games. Band brings people to the games. Cheer brings people to the games. We all couldn’t do it without each other.” The 2019 season brought a feeling of school spirit and pride to Atlantic High School that people will remember for years to come.