Braden River, Lakewood Ranch student sections stage cheering rivalry

When Braden River High School’s football team scored a touchdown against visiting rival Lakewood Ranch on Sept. 8, seniors Alex den Boggende and Vishan Patel would look directly at each other and let out simultaneous screams.

Behind them in the stands, the students packed into Braden River’s Section E erupted right along with them. 

As they did on every Pirates' touchdown, Patel and den Boggende grabbed school flags and ran back and forth in front of the stands.

School spirit involves some effort. 

By the end of the first half of host Braden River's 41-23 win, Pirates seniors Presleigh Green and Hope Thomsen already were starting to lose their voices from screaming.

"If you don't lose your voice, you didn't scream loud enough,” Thomsen said.

A lot of students must have lost their voices.

“Everyone’s so excited to be here,” Thomsen said. “It’s a wonderful feeling to have so many other people who are just as excited as you. It’s truly amazing.”

Twenty minutes before game time, dozens of Braden River High School students dressed in their school's maroon or as pirates walked into the school’s stadium. They wanted their presence to be known. 

Across the football field, Lakewood Ranch High School’s student section, the Stampede, formed a sea of white as students dressed for their white-out theme. 

Officers of the Stampede and Braden River's Student Government Association led their respective student sections. They were responsible for coordinating themes and keeping up the energy.

Lainey Curtis, a Lakewood Ranch junior and Stampede historian, and Noelle Warren, a Braden River High senior and SGA public relations officer, both said their organizations take student input into consideration when it comes to themes. If students are excited about the theme, they’re more likely to participate. 

“A theme can make or break the game because if we’re all dressed up, it makes it fun,” Curtis said.

Patel, the SGA president for Braden River, said not all the students have access to pirate costumes, but they all have a maroon shirt. A dual theme allowed everyone to get involved.

Trevor Schmid, a senior and Stampede historian, said the Stampede’s most successful theme was its western theme last year as students dressed in cowboy boots, hats, and flannel shirts. Some even brought lassos. 

Sometimes the themes don't work as well. Ryan Donnelly, a senior and Stamepe hype man for Lakewood Ranch, said the students tried a Neon Night during one of the games in 2022  but it was a a clunker when students had trouble finding neon clothes.

The fun of the games doesn't always rely on what is taking place on the field. The games in many ways serve as more of a social gathering. Braden River's rout was expected as it had won its eighth consecutive game in the rivalry. Students find ways to celebrate the smallest of victories.

“Football is not my sport of choice, but when I’m up there (in the stands), I’m having the time of my life. I'm screaming, cheering, singing, dancing,” Thomsen said. “I have so much energy even though it’s not usually something I would prefer to do.”

But the biggest celebrations do come when a touchdown is scored. 

The Stampede officers celebrated their few touchdowns by forming a human bicycle. Sophomore Micah Parsley laid on the ground while senior Scott Barkey leaned over him with Donnelly balanced on Barkey's shoulders. Donnelly holds onto junior Carson Wozniak, who kneels in front as the handlebars. Parsley takes Donnelly’s legs and moves them in the motion of a bike. 

“We treat every first down like a touchdown and cheer for every touchdown like we just won the Super Bowl,” Schmid said.

At home games, Donnelly does push ups for each point scored. 

Donnelly earned the title of hype man after his appearance at the first game of the season. He showed up covered head to toe in the school's green. He also had on a leprechaun hat. 

“I went all out for the first game and just screamed my heart out,” he said. “I’m honored for that title. I love that I’m making a name for myself and all these kids in the student section recognize me.”

The Braden River student section didn't want the Lakewood Ranch students to enjoy their touchdowns too much. After each one, the Pirates students would chant, "scoreboard," reflecting the fact they were far ahead.

And when the Lakewood Ranch Stampede students roared as loud as possible, Braden River’s students responded with “We can’t hear you.”  

Each student section used anything they could to outdo the other. 

Braden River's students tossed around a stuffed mustang. Lakewood Ranch's students waved posters such as "Sink the Ship!" Both sections stomped on the stands. 

The Stampede had a large banner posted at the front of its section that said, “We would rather walk the plank than be a Pirate.” In the Braden River section, a banner said, “Adios Mustangos,” poking fun at Lakewood Ranch High School’s motto “Vamos Mustangos,” meaning “Let’s go Mustangs.”

Green said the leaders’ enthusiasm and constant high energy encourage students to act the same. During the game, Green grabbed a helm of a ship, lifted it above her head and moved it from side to side to encourage students to wave theirs arms to the beat of the music.

When “All of the Lights” came over the speakers, both Section E and the Stampede lit up as students turned on the flashlights on their phones. 

“Sometimes it doesn’t matter what’s happening on the field,” Donnelly said. “If you’re just happy and energetic, people will feed off that.”

For each of the student sections, it’s about supporting the team, no matter the score. 

As the Pirates made their way toward the end zone with less than 4 minutes to go in the game, Lakewood Ranch High freshman Macklin Higgins took the megaphone. 

“Never back down,” he screamed. 

“Never give up,” the Stampede students responded.

And they didn't.