What would a football game be without spirited souls cheering for the team?

We wouldn’t want to think of it. Whether they’re cheering, chanting or dancing, doing leaps, splits or yells, cheerleaders are an important part of the gridiron experience.

A mighty Tiger squad

The Greenville High School Tigers have no less than 18 young women making up their cheerleading squad this season. Captain Megan Brooks and Co-Captain Aundrea Poole will be joined on the sidelines by Jena Poff, Kayla Thomas, Jateum Perryman, Laken Hill, Meghan Branum, Lindsey Rey, Shanna Blackburn, LaVeda Cleare, Kari Rogers, Ashley Waller, Abbey Mullins, Kayla Johnson, Madeline Hough, Cory Rice, Elizabeth Jones and Anna Schofield. Tiger Mascot duties will be shared by Dae Johnson and Emily Pitts.

The GHS squad attended NCA cheerleading camp in Auburn this summer and brought home several ‘Superior’ ribbons from the competition, along with the ‘Motion’ Award, says first-year sponsor, Stacey Edwards.

&uot;Our girls already have held several fundraisers, including carwashes and old-time children’s portraits – we have more planned for the future,&uot; says Edwards, adding, &uot;These girls work hard each and every week. We appreciate the recognition and support of Tiger fans and the community.&uot;

Providing Panther spirit

In Georgiana, a squad of ten energetic young ladies will be cheering on the Panthers this season.

Captain Courtney Rudolph, a senior, and Co-Captains Alex McLaughlin and Patrice Cheatham, both sophomores, will head the Panther squad. La’Kesha Crittenden (senior), Moneattie Pryor (senior), April Crittenden (junior) and four freshman, Paige Browder, Abby Casey, Emily Holder and Sha’taska Mobley round out the cheerleading roster.

Sponsor Rachel Burleson says her squad had a &uot;great experience&uot; attending the UCA cheerleading camp at Troy University this summer. &uot;I’m pleased to say one of our seniors made the All-Star Team at camp,&uot; says Burleson.

The GHS Panther cheerleaders held a doughnut sale this summer to raise funds, and plan to hold a soft drink sale this fall. &uot;We appreciate everyone’s support…come on out and cheer for the Panthers,&uot; Burleson says.

Screamin’ with the Eagles

At Fort Dale Academy, 12 varsity cheerleaders will be cheering on the Eagles in 2004-2005: Jehle Foster, Hope Stanford, Terrell Brannon, Shana Fail, Mallory Lee, Jherrie Luckie, Carleton McGowin, Lacey Norrell, Frances Watts, Kathryn Scruggs, Elisa Campbell and Laura Tucker.

Marianne Russell, fifth-year FDA cheerleading sponsor, is excited about a program she says &uot;just gets better every year&uot;. The FDA squad attended cheerleading camp at Huntingdon College this summer and it proved to be &uot;a terrific learning experience&uot; for the group, Russell says.

&uot;Camp allows the squad to become a real team and this group really accomplished that goal. The girls learned some great material and they are ready to bring it back to the fans and have a spirited season,&uot; says Russell.

Fundraising plans for the FDA cheerleaders including selling calendars and &uot;at least one other major fundraiser&uot; this year, the sponsor says.

In addition, the squad will sell spirit items such as booster badges and t-shirts.

A mini-cheerleading clinic is slated for Saturday, September 25, for grades K-6 at the school. &uot;This is a chance to teach future cheerleaders some fun material. It will be a fun morning for all of us and everyone is welcome,&uot; says Russell. Russell says she is glad to see cheerleaders receive recognition for their contribution to the school.

&uot;I have a shirt that says, ‘Cheerleading…there is no off season’. How true! We work hard all year. And we have so much fun, too,&uot; the enthusiastic FDA cheerleader sponsor says.

Doin’ the Tiger Brag

The McKenzie School Tigers Cheerleading Squad is ready to raise the spirits of Tiger fans this season. Captain Kayla Conard is joined by Kassie Everett, Hope Morgan, Holly Tolbert, Brittany Willis, Carrena Davison, Tia Bush and Laronica Peterson.

Cheerleading sponsor Amanda Jones is proud to note her enthusiastic squad took home the Spirit Stick and the trophy for Most Improved from the UCA cheerleading camp they attended in Panama City this summer.

&uot;Our girls are selling Pizza Hut cards to raise funds. We also plan to hold a bake sale on Labor Day weekend. We hope everyone will come out and support our efforts and help cheer on the Tigers this season,&uot; says Jones.