Due to the Prosper Mighty Eagle Band performing at the Bands of America Grand National Championship in Indianapolis, Indiana, this week, the football team faces silence on their side of the field at playoffs as its opponent’s band, the Coppell Marching Band, plays for their team. Despite cross-town rivalries, the Rock Hill Pep Band decided to support Prosper by playing stand tunes during the game.
The Prosper Eagles will play against the Coppell Cowboys on tonight at Coppell ISD Stadium. At Prosper’s last game, they won against Plano West with an end score of 51-10. While Prosper is on a winning streak with a record of 8-2, Coppell is undefeated with a record of 10-0.
Rock Hill band director Nathaniel Neugent said the idea seemed unusual at first, especially since Rock Hill played their playoff game last night.
“It was a clear opportunity to pay it forward by supporting the team and simultaneously helping out the PHS band,” Neugent said. “I knew it would be a difficult ask of our students coming off playing for our team the night before, so I was surprised when I asked for volunteers and more than half the band wanted to do it. Our student leadership team really stepped up and understood the bigger picture.”
Rock Hill Marching Band drum major senior Maxwell Lee said the band took this opportunity because “it’s the right thing to do,” and members want to support all our fellow bands and schools in Prosper ISD.
“Even with our friendly competition that all three schools have, we still want to make a clear message that all of Prosper ISD is still one,” Lee said. “Also, we understand the importance of Grand Nationals as a competition for the PHS band, so we want to support their trip and we wish them the best of luck.”
A Rock Hill band has never played for a Prosper team.
“Originally, there was a slight awkwardness and weird feeling thinking about how the band would be going to and playing at a school not our own,” Lee said. “But, after discussing it with our directors and students, I felt way more comfortable and honestly excited to have another opportunity to perform in the stands. I know some people that aren’t as comfortable doing a gig like this, if that’s pre-made plans for the weekend or holding their school pride, but I can’t wait to go and be there, regardless of if it’s a PHS or RHHS game.”
Prosper quarterback junior Braeden Imhoff said not having a band supporting the team affects the players.
“It makes a world of difference,” Imhoff said.
Ever since Rock Hill entered the 6A division, Prosper and Rock Hill have been in a cross-town rivalry.
“I know for many, the relationship between both PHS and RHHS is a touchy subject, where the friendly competition can become extreme at some points and people take their school pride very seriously,” Lee said. “However, I think that this opportunity can show that both PHS and RHHS stick together and should support each other, even with the competition we have, and Rock Hill is happy to help a neighboring school. I think our bond with PHS is strong and friendly enough that we can continue to do these things together in the future, setting aside our school competition.”
Despite the presence of district rivalries, the district’s schools still find a way to help each other.
“This is what Prosper ISD is all about,” Prosper principal Nicholas Jones said. “All the schools support each other in doing the best we can for all students at each campus.”
Neugent said a surprising amount of band members wanted to support Prosper.
“We constantly hear, ‘We are Prosper, we are one,’ but it’s just a saying if you don’t actually back it up with action,” Neugent said. “Here was a chance to do just that. I’m really proud of our students for answering the call.”
If Prosper wins this game, the team will play against the winner of the playoff game between Lake Highlands and South Grand Prairie high schools Nov. 22.
“I think its a great reminder that we are Prosper and we are one,” Prosper Talonette and band drum major junior Katie Lynn Sepper said. “It means a lot that the Rock Hill band is stepping in to help our team after their playoff game. I think its amazing that their band is willing to take one of their free nights away to help us hopefully go further in playoffs.”
