HHS FOOTBALL CHEER FAQ
BEFORE TRYOUTS
Are there workouts in the preseason?
Yes. Student athletes need to have a physical on file in order to begin our pre-season workouts. All pre-season open workouts are optional and are only for student athletes who are not currently participating in a sport. Open Workouts begin February 11th and will be every Wednesday until tryouts.
What are open workouts?
Open workouts allow any athlete to work on skills related to cheerleading (motions, jumps, tumbling, stunts, etc.) and/or any conditioning that is provided. There is no coaching involved in open workouts. Coaches are present and on site, but there is no specific coaching or organized practice. This is an excellent opportunity to become familiar with any other participants trying out and to dust off your skills before the official tryout week.
TRYOUTS
Join the BAND group for all updates on Tryouts:
https://band.us/n/aaa3bbva88G1t
When are tryouts?
March 23-25, 2026 - 3:15-5pm - HHS Gym
Where do I go for tryouts?
Everyone will meet in the HHS Gym at 3:15pm. If you are a middle schooler trying out, you can ride the bus over (you have to provide a bus note to the front office to be allowed to ride over). Restrooms and locker rooms are available to change into tryout clothes. Because people are coming from different locations, tryouts won’t officially begin until 3:15pm to allow travel and changing time.
What will tryouts look like?
Monday, March 23rd - learn material
Tuesday, March 24th - learn material
Wednesday, March 25th - final try out day
*you will be grouped by 3’s and try out in the order of groups you are given.
*you will tryout in front of a panel of judges with GHSA cheerleading knowledge based on a rubric of skills important for a successful cheerleading program
*judges are NOT the HHS cheerleading coaches
*HHS coaches are present at the judging table to tally scores
Should I go to tryouts every day? Yes - if you have a situation, please speak to a coach to see if a solution can be found.
What if I am involved in a sport that is currently in season?
You will need to discuss with the HHS cheer coaches and your current in season coach about how you will be able to work out learning material and being present on your tryout date.
How many make the team?
JV Football: 10-12
Varsity Football: 20
Game Day Competition: 24-28 (Game Day is chosen between Varsity and JV girls who have chosen to be willing to be on the Game Day team. Game Day team will not be chosen until football season has begun and coaches are able to see sideline performance of each athlete)
Paperwork
You must have an up to date physical and athletic packet on file in order to attend open workouts and during the season. The athletic packet can be found on the school website or picked up from an HHS cheer coach.
How do I hear news and updates?
Make sure you and your parents are on our band app. We communicate everything regarding our program from the band app. See Coach S or Coach Arnold for the invite code.
IF YOU MAKE THE TEAM
This will all be discussed at a welcome meeting after tryouts, but we like to give you a heads up as to what being on the team looks like before you try out.
Estimated Costs and Fundraising?
Booster Fee (one time $150.00)
Football Teams:
Camp: $100
Practice wear: approximately $75-$100
Shoes: approx. $110
Fundraisers Available
Business/Personal Sponsorships
Kiddie Camp (Football Squads)
Spirit Wear Sales
What does the booster fee cover?
Awards/Pins/Letters/Certificates
Senior Gifts
Sweet Success party/t shirts
Uniform Fill-Ins
Coaching Conferences/Coaching Education
Senior Night Expenses
Spirit Items (t-shirts, bows, face tattoos, etc.)
Administrative Fees: paper, copies, supplies, spirit items
Uniforms
All athletes are given a uniform which will be returned after the season.
What is an excused absence?
All athletes must notify a coach before missing a practice. Even if not in school, athletes should email, or message a coach in the band app to notify them when they will miss a practice.
GOOD ATHLETES DO NOT MISS PRACTICE
Multiple absences, even if excused, could result in dismissal from the team. Unexcused absences will result in game suspensions.
How long is regular season practice?
Once the school year begins practice is as follows:
Football Practices - begin in the summer and run through November (possibly December depending on playoffs)
Summer conditioning/practices are TBD
Mandatory Dates for football squads:
Campwear & Warm Up Fitting/Sweet Success Party - March 30, 2026 3:15PM (cheerleaders only for fitting) 5:30PM (parents and cheerleaders - party)
Kiddie Camp - Here at HHS - June 1-5, 2026 8:30 - 12:30pm
Summer Camp - Here at HHS - dates pending
Game Day Choreography - Here at HHS - August 29-30, 2026 9am-4pm
Varsity Practices: Tuesdays from 3:00p-4:30p | Thursdays from 3:00p-4:00p (Thursday times may vary depending on how practice has gone throughout the week)
JV Practices: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00p-4:30p (until Thursday games begin)
Game Day Practices: Mondays from 3:00p-5:00p (more are added closer to competition season)
Varsity Games are on Fridays at 7:30pm
JV Games are on Thursdays at 5:30/6pm
Gameday Competitive Cheer
State Championships are in December
If you are on this team, practices will continue after football season is over and more weekly practices
WE HAVE ZERO TOLERANCE FOR HAZING, TEAM INITIATIONS, ETC.
*Individual problems will be handled with individual solutions.
Who are the coaches?
JV: Jessie Arnold - jessica.arnold@ccboe.net
Varsity: Kayla Schnitzler - kayla.schnitzler@ccboe.net
Game Day Competition: Jessie Arnold and Kayla Schnitzler