The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

"We are the Outlaws,

we can't be beat...

If you want to win,

you'll have to cheat...

Climb up the pine trees,

slide down the cactus...

We play your team,

just for practice!'

When Sisters High School's varsity football teams pulls into Klamath Falls on Friday night for a postseason playoff game, the Outlaws won't be alone.

Led by seniors Haylie Hudson, Brenna Weems, and Molly Boyle, the Outlaws will have an impressive contingent of super fans following them.

They didn't start the season that way. When Sisters opened the season against Burns (a 39-6 loss), something was missing. Maybe a little offense and a little defense, but there were no cheerleaders on the sidelines for the fans and players who made the three-hour trek east.

Game two - against Madras - started a little sluggish as well, but that's when Hudson and Boyle decided to stand up and cheer.

"They (Madras) had cheerleaders and we didn't, so we decided to stand up in front of our crowd and lead some cheers," said Hudson, who also plays volleyball, basketball, and softball at SHS.

Coincidence or not, after a scoreless first quarter, the Outlaws won 13-12.

Don't call them cheerleaders. They aren't officially recognized by the Oregon Schools Activities Association as a sanctioned extra-curricular activity.

"We certainly weren't trying to create an issue, just spirit," said Hudson. "And, of course, trying to stay in the rule box."

Hudson noted that many students are involved in other activities and there was a low turnout for the cheerleading squad and thus, there is no sideline cheer program this fall. For Hudson, Weems, and Boyle, football without cheerleaders is like baseball without bat-boys, Batman without Robin, or Oregon without rain.

"We found old cheerleading uniforms in the high school's attic and wore them for the first home game," said Hudson.

The girls were told that, according to OSAA regulations, they could not wear the full cheerleading uniforms as they were not sanctioned to do so. OSAA would require a coach and tryouts. Therefore, the super fans are not cheerleaders.

"The super fans aren't an OSAA-sanctioned activity," said SHS Athletic Director Tim Roth. "Thus, they can't cross the line into being a cheerleading squad."

By definition, cheerleading involves various levels of stunts, group dance routines, and a combination of cheering, stunting, and dance. Roth noted that this was the first time in his three years at SHS that there was no fall sideline cheer. He was also quick to praise the super fans.

"They have stepped up as student leaders," said Roth. "They are leading super fan sections and doing an excellent job. Their focus as super fans is different than cheerleading. On game days they create another level of excitement."

Roth added, "This is the best tone I've seen from students. I think it's a combination of students and super fans. All kinds of kids stepping up. It's gotten all the kids excited."

Roth said that though the super fans can't be recognized or dress as cheerleaders, they create their own outfits, routines and excitement.

"They put together their own uniforms, and the goal is to be mixed and matched," he said. "One night is black-out night, another is wig night or painting face night. It's been great," said Roth.

Not having cheerleading uniforms or being called cheerleaders is fine with Hudson, Weems, and Boyle. They put on their black super fan T-shirts and their black skirts and it's cheer on.

"Some of the games have been the most spirited I've been," said Hudson. "Our super fans are great."

The girls praised their fellow students and "their random mascot," noting that their classmates have joined in to cheer.

Whereas a traditional cheerleading squad might require a $1,500 commitment for uniforms, travel, camps, and cheerleading and stunt competition, the super fan leaders have spent $15 on their super fan T-shirts. Plus travel, of course. They have even traveled - at their own expense - 280 miles (roundtrip) to away games at Cottage Grove and Elmira. If they were sanctioned, fundraising could offset their spirit expenses.

The girls don't practice routines, but in leadership class, the group came up with five cheers.

"We just talk about the cheers in between cheers and do them," said Weems. "We will ask the crowd what they want. They are the super fans. Parents and players tell us it's nice to have someone cheering for them."

Hudson, admittedly "outgoing," said she could see herself being a cheerleader. "I've always thought the stunts were cool."

Weems on the other hand, said she never thought about it, "but it's fun to get out of your shell, and being a super fan pays off. We aren't worrying what other people are thinking - we're just thinking about creating spirit."

As athletes, the trio of spirit leaders know what it is like to have support.

"It's great to have that support and spirit," said Hudson. "I personally do a lot better when people are paying attention."

The super fans have caught on in other sports, too. Juniors Chance Halley and Steen Johnson are leading cheers at SHS volleyball games.

The girls said they aren't likely to cheer during winter sports as they will be playing basketball, but were quick to point out other super fans who will.

"We consider everyone with spirit a super fan," said Weems.

Roth said a cheerleading squad is important, and SHS hopes to build it back. Until that happens, the super fans will be there in full spirit.