This past weekend, the 8th-grade football and cheer teams played their final games as part of the junior program. The football players and cheerleaders, who have spent much of their childhood working hard as a team, have continued learning and growing and are now preparing to enter high school sports at a more advanced level.

For the athletes and cheerleaders, these last games were filled with emotion. It wasn’t just about winning on the field or cheering for the crowd, but about the friendships they’ve made, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the memories they’ll carry with them for years to come.

The 8th graders had a “mini promotion,” where each cheerleader walked out with two football players, arms linked. The announcer shared two fun facts about each participant and mentioned how many years they had been involved in their sport. As a reward, the football players received candy necklaces, and the cheerleaders received flowers and goody bags. It was a successful mini promotion filled with joy and celebration.

The cheer director, Mrs. Rosie, stated, “There was a lot of planning. I just made a checklist and communicated with the football director to make sure both cheer and football were covered. I also spoke with both midget teams so they knew the schedule.”

There was a lot of hard work put into the 8th-grade football game. One of the football players, Tayvon Taylor, explained, “It was very fun and a great experience.”
One of the cheerleaders, Aubree S., added, “It was good.” The game was an exciting experience for the 8th graders and will remain a memorable event for both the players and the cheerleaders.

Now, as they move from the junior program to the more competitive and demanding world of high school sports, they’ve built strong connections with their teammates and understand the importance of working together to succeed in their athletic careers. Even though the 8th-grade football and cheer teams will no longer be part of the junior program and some may not even be on the same teams due to different schools or skill levels, their journey is just beginning. High school sports will bring new challenges, but with teamwork, dedication, and hard work, they’ll continue to grow as both students and athletes.