RESERVE — When they’re doing battle on the field, the members of the East St. John High School football team can’t be watching the cheerleaders, dance team, flag team, majorettes or the band.

Well, they’re not supposed to, anyway.

But at Tuesday Meet the Wildcats Night, the football players were able to watch each group as much as they wanted and everyone was able to see the Wildcats — without their helmets on.

It was a pre-season celebration that has become a tradition.

“They were doing this before I came here,” said head football coach Alton Foster. “I thought it was a great idea. It got everybody excited and recognized. You see the band but you don’t know who they are, you know there’s a volleyball team. When I first came here I really enjoyed it. It’s a great event to have. “

Tuesday’s event had a little bit for everyone.

The large crowd of parents and students was introduced to the band, the Sugarettes dance team, the Majorettes baton twirlers, the flag team — which delivered a show stopping routine — the volleyball and cross country teams and then the football team, coaching staff and its support personnel.

“It’s good to see the band and all that,” said Wildcats quarterback Dasmain “Duke” Crosby. “We don’t really see them. I mean, when we score a touchdown we might hear them play a song.”

Senior safety Chris Thompson said he has been waiting four years to walk into the gym as a senior player. Each player was asked to state his name, number, position and class year.

“My freshman year I was scared,” Thompson said. “I didn’t know what was going on. But as a senior, I walk with more confidence now.”

A couple of the younger football players showed their inexperience by looking down at their number before announcing it to the crowd.

Crosby said he hopes the excitement carries over to the season.

“I wish we had this many people come out,” he said. “All these people need to come out and support. We’re gonna be good. The football team is gonna handle what we gotta do and the fans, we need them to come and do what they gotta do.”

Making a special presentation was Demetria Carter (Class of 1985), who is aiming to rally alumni around the football team.

Carter and other alums are organizing a series of events to get former students more involved.

The first will be homecoming week.

On Thursday, Sept. 28 alumni are invited to enter a float, truck or car in the traditional homecoming parade.

On Friday, Sept. 29 alumni are invited to participate in a pre-game tailgating party at Joe Keller Stadium. Awards will be given to classes who have the most (monetary) spirit with all funds going towards the school’s athletics fund.

After the game there will be an alumni dance held at Regala Gym in Reserve.

The group also plans to revive the Monday Night Quarterback Club meetings with awards to be given to certain players for outstanding efforts during the game.

“It’s our effort to try and get the public and our alumni to start attending the games on Friday because, normally, the games are kind of like, nobody’s there,” Carter said. “We want to revive our community and get everyone involved. We feel like if we get the parents engaged and see their child recognized, they’ll become more involved.”

It’s all good for the Wildcats.

“It’s always fun to see everybody excited about the season,” said senior lineman Morgan Ursin. “It’s exciting to see how the school is into it and being passionate about football.”