Photography by Lauren Allen
There’s spectacle, and then there’s high school football in Texas. Sophomore Ki’Zydreeck Faggett knows this better than anyone.
When the Friday night lights shine at South Oak Cliff High School, he does double duty as a member of the Golden Bears’ band and cheerleading team. The 15-year-old has been a member of his school’s band or choir since he was in elementary, now playing drums. He plans to pursue a career as a band director after graduation. This year, he decided to try out for his high school’s cheerleading squad and made the team.
South Oak Cliff cheer coach Getquiea Jones saw Faggett’s dual interests as an opportunity. She’d recently seen a stunt on TikTok combining the two teams, with a drummer hoisted into the air by a group of cheerleaders and spun while playing. Faggett was in for the idea.
Held up by six cheerleaders, they gave it a try in practice.
“It was kind of shocking,” he says. “I didn’t think we would be able to do it that fast.”
The stunt debuted at South Oak Cliff’s homecoming football game to a raucous reaction from the crowd. Faggett says he’s used to the eyeballs.
“I know I get a lot of attention just because I’m a boy,” he says. “I’m used to that.”
But this time was more than ever. He says he’s approached in the hallways and classrooms from fellow students who saw his stunt. The danger of it isn’t lost to him.
“I’m up in the air with a little weighted drum,” he says. “The people below me, plus my weight and the drum. I was a little scared.”
But he continues to do it. Pep rallies, football games, the move is waiting to be deployed.
“I get anxiety, but I get over it,” he says. “Most of the time.”
