While fans fill the stands and players take the field, Athletic Director Jason Shroeder works behind the scenes to make sure the game goes off without a hitch. Shroeder’s pregame responsibilities include communicating with the spirit squad, game officials, ticket takers, band and the ground crews to ensure that everything goes smoothly during the game.

“It’s rewarding, but it’s a lot of work. There’s a lot of organization that takes place,” Shroeder said. “All the coaches are very responsible. They know the nitty-gritty details, too, of what it takes to put their men on. So they kind of help make sure stuff doesn’t fall through cracks.”

Regardless of the necessary preparation, Shroeder said that football games are important to helping students find their passions outside of the classroom.

“We always talk about hard work, discipline, consistency, teamwork and putting something above yourself. Football and other [school activities] fall into that category,” Shroeder said.

According to Shroeder, football contributes not only to the athletes on the field but to the morale of everyone attending.

“[There is] always a large student section,” Shroeder said. “I feel like football just brings a lot of energy, brings a lot of excitement, and people like to be there on Friday.”

For senior Ethan Prescott, settling into a routine, no matter the game, is about getting the most out of his performance. Starting with the team dinner, Prescott follows a strict routine to prepare his mind and body for the upcoming event.

Prescott’s game day starts the night before, when he attends the team dinner, which the players’ mothers provide. After the dinner, the team participates in downtime, which coaches make sure to set aside each week. Prescott’s downtime involves bringing a pillow and taking a nap to relax and de-stress before the game.

“Most game days, I’m pretty stressed and just can’t focus because I’m so stressed. The nap calms me down and gets me ready to go for the big game,” Prescott said.

Prescott said one of his favorite pieces of the pre-game routine is the coach’s locker room speeches before the game.

“Coach Henderson is the greatest speaker I’ve ever heard. I think he is like a motivational speaker, so every time he just gets you fired up,” Prescott said.

Prescott said the most exciting piece of any game day is after any win, when the team gathers in the locker room and chants as each coach walks in. However, Prescott said the biggest highlight comes when Coach Stewart gives a speech and sings a song, an activity the football players are sworn to secrecy.

On the sidelines with infectious energy, the cheer and dance teams are motivating players and spectators alike. While the Spirit Squad is at every game–home and away– sophomore Vivenne Pro said the Free State vs. Lawrence High game brings the most nerves. The squad typically performs a more complex routine along with entertaining a larger audience, making the game one of the most stressful of the year.

But the game also brings its positive moments. Pro said the energy in the stadium is electric and makes the hard work feel worth it. The squad practices together for two hours every day, conditioning and stretching together, and then splitting up to learn routines. Additionally, Pro said that the best part about being on the Spirit Squad is the community. She said the joint practices and team bonding aspects are crucial parts of the relationships they have created.

While many Spirit Squad members felt stage fright during their first few games, Pro said after a while she got used to performing in front of many people and has even learned to enjoy what once was scary.

“Last year was really scary,” Pro said “But once I got over that it became much better. It’s fun seeing everyone cheer for the team and watch the game.”

Color guard is a small section of the marching band that dances and spins flags in time with the band’s halftime performance. Color guard provides a visual aspect to marching band shows, mainly by spinning various flags.

The main role of the color guard is to increase school spirit within the audience and make pre-show and halftime exciting for everyone involved. Apart from the shows, the color guard spends the remainder of the game participating in dances in chants from the stands to encourage the student section to cheer for the football team.

Color guard practices alongside the band during the 1st hour symphonic band class, as well as after school on Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:3 p.m. Senior Davis Boedeker said that he enjoys being a part of the color guard and their crucial role in football games.

“The main thing I enjoy about football games is being able to show off all of our hard work to a greater audience. I enjoy being able to dance and spin alongside so many of my close friends,” Boedeker said. “The color guard helps build anticipation for the actual game during our two shows, which gets people more excited for what they’re about to see.”