Earlier this morning, the Houston County football, marching band, and cheer programs came together for their annual practice swap, a unique tradition that gives each group the opportunity to experience what the others do in preparation for Friday nights.
The morning began with the football portion of the event, as members of the band and cheer squads took part in several drills and practice routines that the football team regularly goes through.
Next came the marching band session, where the football and cheer teams got a firsthand look at what the Black and Silver Brigade does. The highlight for many was learning marching fundamentals—better known as “fundies”—which challenged participants to develop the precision and discipline required of a marching band.
The final phase featured cheerleading, as members of the football and band programs learned cheer cadences and participated in several cheer drills. To wrap things up, some football players even attempted backflips, with varying degrees of success, providing plenty of laughs for everyone involved.
This marks the fifth consecutive year the three programs have held the practice swap. Beyond being a fun tradition, the event helps students build relationships across programs while gaining a greater appreciation for the hard work and dedication each group brings. Together, the football team, marching band, and cheerleaders all play an important role in creating the Friday night atmosphere each fall.
Following the event, Sportsmic team member Cole Powell caught up with football head coach Jeremy Edwards, band director Dillon Watkins, and cheer head coach Jessica Leaptrot to discuss the annual tradition. You can watch those interviews below.
