So what makes the Darkside so different? So special?

In this day and age of political correctness, certainly the administration at Fremd High School must be out of it's mind to encourage this type of behavior from it's students?

How dare they, allowing kids to have some real school spirit and some real fun.

The kids in the Darkside at Fremd are different, real different.

The Darkside, roughly anywhere from 300 to 500 in strength, fill one entire section of the bleachers at Fremd. Dressed in all black and many more in face paint, they arrive early and they stay until the very end of the game.

And from the moment the PA system at Fremd plays a mix of electronica, dance, rock and everything in between, the Darkside just never stops cheering, jumping up and down and having some serious fun. Then the Darkside is rooted on by the demonic sounding PA voice-overs. Hey, it's not the generation of the Hair Metal bands anymore kids. It's all done in good fun.

It's the Fremd version of a rave, a very safe and very controlled rave.

Just picture 500 kids all dressed in black, swaying and dancing in the stands to "Shout".

Folks, that just doesn't happen very often anymore.

Now, I also know what your thinking here.

No, the Darkside doesn't taunt. They don't shout out any negatives towards opposing players or fans, unless you consider "We can't hear you" a negative. They cheer, they root for their Vikings and they have a blast all at the same time. The Darkside doesn't get out of control in the stands. They listen to the yellow jacketed security personnel. They jump up and down but not all over each other. Again, it's controlled chaos.

Intimidating? You betcha. The Darkside remains the best 12th man in this state I've seen hands down.

I just can't imagine what the opposing players, coaches and fans think when they see the Darkside for the first time at Fremd.

It's an experience, and the Darkside is almost as entertaining to watch as the game.

Also, it's a great feeling to see that our game of high school football still belongs to the kids.

Sure, the older fans and parents certainly have a role. Yet when everyone including the kids are involved like the kids from the Darkside are involved, well, then your talking about taking the game of high school football to a new and even more enjoyable level.

Also give credit to the Fremd administrators, for allowing the Darkside to even exist let alone having the you know what's to support those kids.

Thanks to the Darkside for bringing some good old fashioned, All American fun back to our sport.