Kinkaid Week may be all about Winter Wonderland, but as the big game nears, Mavericks are feeling the heat. On the afternoon of Oct. 27, the entire school gathered on Skip Lee Field for the All-School Pep Rally.

Varsity, JV, and middle school cheerleaders led the rally with classic cheers such as the Boom Pyramid, Mavericks Are We, and the Cookie Monster Cheer. Senior girls in the Maverick Guard appeared during the annual rescue of the football captains from the Kinkaid Falcon while drum corp interluded each event with high-energy beats.

“Maverick Guard is something I’ve looked forward to for so many years. Even though it seems silly, it’s a chance for senior girls to have fun during their last pep rally,” senior Maverick Guard member Arisa Sadeghpour said.

Head football coach Steve Gleaves encouraged the crowd to come to Friday’s game and support the football team as they battle Kinkaid. He also recognized all fall sports teams for their work so far.

“Coach Gleaves really challenged us to demonstrate Maverick pride and to support the team against Kinkaid,” sophomore Raunak Kundagrami said.

The pep rally was highlighted by the Victory Cheer. The Lower, Middle, and Upper School students and the seniors competed to prove who could chant the loudest and show the most spirit.

“I realized how proud I was of everyone in my grade, from the players to the cheerleaders to drum corp and everyone else,” Sadeghpour said. “I looked up at the stands and saw how excited everyone was, especially the Lower School kids. That was something I’ll never forget.”

The game against Kinkaid is at 7:00 at Rice Stadium on Friday, Oct. 28.