Confetti flies into the air, the band plays loudly, cheerleaders dance, and Monty runs around the field to support our school's football team under the popular Friday Night Lights.
Chants are led by students as screams fill the fields and courts. “I believe that we will win!” “I believe that we will win!” The Screamin’ Scots fill up the bleachers during numerous sporting events to get the crowds pumped up in supporting teams. But after the game, the support turned negative on social media after recent losses. Some football team players have shown disappointment because they feel that when they lose, the fans are quick to put the players down. Senior Football player Brenan Lasala said, “Some of the fans don't really care. They come to the game to socialize and have fun with their friends; but, after, they say Carlmont is a laughing stock we can never win a football game. We like to turn around and see people at our game but we just don't like the negative attitudes,” said Brenan Lasala, a 12th-grade football player.” Recently on Twitter, Screamin’ Scots and the football players had a dispute about the overall attitudes of both sides. The tweets fueled lots of tension between the two groups. Senior football player Devin Chambers thinks many of the Screamin’ Scots have begun a boycott and stopped showing up to recent games. “They don't care. I want Screamin’ Scots to come, they’re chill but they were saying they boycotted our last game which wasn't cool. If you boycott our game it justs shows that you don't care. If they are bothered by one player, they should not take it out on the whole team,” said Chambers. Football coach Jake Messina said, “Frankly, I have no reaction. I would coach the game the same whether there are two people or 2,000 there. However, the Screamin’ Scots had a different perspective as many felt athletes should not play a sport unless they appreciate the Screamin’ Scots and their cheers. Senior Screamin’ Scots fan and volleyball player Sarah Smyth said, “To me, because I play a sport, I love when Screamin’ Scots comes to our games because it is nice to have people cheering. I can understand where the football team is coming from, but I don't think they went about [voicing their opinions] in the right way.” ASB teacher Jim Kelly was aware of the Twitter dispute and tried to see both perspectives of the sides to give each the benefit of the doubt. Kelly said, “Considering that Screamin’ Scots is something I helped created in 1998 and I am the teacher of ASB I take pride in both things. Therefore, if ASB is criticized, I am going to pay attention to it, but I also give the benefit of the doubt and understand where the athletes are coming from. Nobody is perfect, and people might make mistakes.I don’t think there will be any negative effects for the future a lot of the tension has been relieved. Screamin’ Scots are continually working to provide a positive influence on the game.” After the controversy between both groups settled down, they have come to an agreement that the argument should have been settled in person rather than over social media. Kelly said, “Criticizers might have posted things on social media, but with more thought they wouldn't have posted it. One of the football players apologized for posting stuff on social media. We talked about what was posted, and how next time they could communicate more effectively by giving the criticism to me or Screamin Scots Captains.” Screamin Scots member Tyrese Lopez said, “I still am excited to go to the games because it's a fun and spirited environment. I am not mad that the football players reacted that way because the Screamin’ Scots shouldn’t have behaved that way [over social media].” |