By NOAH WORTHAM | Senior Editor

CHELSEA – The Chelsea High School gymnasium was bustling as families gathered to celebrate the city’s sports teams in a fun and atmospheric event ahead of the 2024 football season.

The Chelsea Hornet Quarterback Club successfully hosted the third annual Community Pep Rally at Chelsea High School on Friday, August 16, despite the rainy weather.

“We had to move everything from outside to the gym,” said head coach Todd Cassity. “From there, everything went smoothly. Everyone seemed to be having fun.”

The pep rally brought together all corners of the Chelsea community before the start of the season and provided an opportunity to showcase the city’s high school football team, middle school football team and youth league football teams.

“It was nice to see everyone get recognition and make the season a little more exciting,” Cassity said.

During the rally, the Chelsea High School Hornet Pride Marching Band provided music while cheerleaders from the junior, middle and senior high schools showed their enthusiasm and cheered on the crowd. During the event, Mayor Tony Picklesimer and ChHS Principal Dr. Brandon Turner addressed the crowd.

Cassity shared that everyone is excited for the upcoming season as Chelsea prepares to compete in Class 6A and that the high school is not alone as the middle school has returned to its old Southern Conference League.

“Everyone is excited to move up to 6A,” Cassity said. “Our middle school is moving to a different league that they’ll be playing in, and our younger kids are all moving to smaller teams. So I think it’s going to help everyone involved and give everyone a chance to be a lot more competitive.”

In his third year as coach of the Hornets, Cassity continues to work with the players to prepare them and get everything ready for their goal of reaching the playoffs and beyond.

“We had a good fall camp, a good summer, everything is going well,” Cassity said. “We’re just trying to put the last few i’s and cross the last few t’s before the season starts on Friday (and) get everyone moving in the same direction.”

Cassity thanked the Chelsea Quarterback Club for their contribution to organizing the community pep rally and for the many hours of planning that went into making the event possible.

Residents can expect to catch their first glimpse of the Hornets this season at their first home game against Mobile Christian on Friday, August 23rd.