The new Rockville Inferno leaders are boosting football game attendance, and players are grateful for the school’s presence and support of the team. With more students at the games this year, the Inferno leaders had to come up with new ideas to get the student section fired up.
“It’s kind of like, at a sense, our whole grade is one big Inferno leader,” senior Inferno leader Maya Allen Priest said.
This year, according to Allen Priest, the Inferno introduced student class representatives.
“This year, we introduced student reps, so we have two reps from each class, and then we have four seniors,” Allen Priest said. “We’re doing a little differently from last year.”
The expansion of Inferno representatives for each class was a way to get more of the school involved with Inferno. The leaders this year have been able to get the section super hyped, even when the team is down, and they hope to continue that for the rest of the season
“I usually put a drum on my hips to get the section loud,” senior Aarav Kapilashrami said. “I’d say we are rowdy, and we take pride in our rowdiness.”
The new Inferno leaders’ efforts to promote school spirit have created a more energized atmosphere, according to senior running back Brian Lemus, by drawing larger crowds to the stands.
“Feels great, like it shows that the students are coming out to show us support, and like, it just gives us more momentum,” senior Brian Lemus said. “It’s growing every single game, and I hope it keeps going.”
This year, the Inferno overflowed the student section and encroached into where the parents sit during the home opener against Thomas S. Wootton High School. Even the players on the field are noticing a change in gameday energy from the Inferno this year.
“It’s definitely the new Inferno leaders that bring in the new energy. It feels great to start off the year with a good student section,” Lemus said. “My favorite part was definitely the baby powder, it just looked cool from the field.”
The energy from the Inferno has been an essential part of the gameday experience, and for the athletes, the request to their peers is simple.
“Show up and be loud,” Lemus said.
