Battle on the River – the rivalry football game between Hahnville and Destrehan High School has been having fans excited for decades. Each year brings a crowd filled with excitement, not just from the students, but even community members. But while the game is going on, it’s the spirit groups that are in charge of keeping that energy alive for the crowds, as well as the players.

Destrehan junior Hayden Stoute is the marching band’s drum major. His key role is to direct and lead the band throughout the game and during their half-time performances.

“We are the spirit and the life that go behind them. There are times in the football games where the football players are tired and exhausted and we start playing and they feel energized and they’re ready to get back into the game. They’re ready to put more energy out,” said Stoute.

Not only is Stoute anticipating the Battle on the River football game, but so is Sophie Treuting, the Hahnville marching band’s drum major. Treuting says it’s important that the band performs for all spirit groups, not just the football team.

“A lot of the time we’ll end up cheering for the cheer team and the dance team because they’re just doing magnificently. So we all just kind of work together and it creates a much more positive environment for the football games and it just makes it so much fun,” said Treuting.

In addition to collaboration with other spirit groups, it is also important to connect inside your own team. As both captains of the Desty Darlings, seniors Carly Johnson and Brianne Robichaux believe it’s essential to the overall experience of football games.

“[It’s great] Being able to share the field with our team and also being able to lead them and help them reach their goals…” said Johnson.

“Yeah, and being able to bond with our team is such a great feeling. I feel like a family and being able to control that and being like team bonding and exercises is really fun,” added Robichaux.

And on the track, Hahnville’s cheerleaders plan to make sure everyone is connected during this rivalry game – including the crowd. Cheer captain Alivia Downs who is in her senior year of cheering at football games says that connection is her group’s top priority.

“We are really cheering for every part of that, which I feel like is so important because it’s not just football players that is happening during a football game. Like it is the student section, it is the hi-steppers, it is the band. And since we cheers for everyone, it just connects everyone together,” said Downs.

Despite the battle on the field between the two schools, there’s one thing bringing them together – hard work, dedication, and teamwork.